Chilean speaker meets officials in Rabat

A delegation from the Chilean chamber of representatives, which started Thursday a working visit to Morocco, held talks with several Moroccan officials and MPs on means to upgrade cooperation relations.

At separate talks with speaker of the Moroccan chamber of representatives (lower house of parliament), Abdelouahed Radi, ministers of foreign affairs and cooperation, of the interior and of communication, the Chilean delegation members were briefed on the Sahara issue.

The Moroccan officials renewed Morocco's attachment to the UN settlement plan on the Sahara that provides for the holding of a referendum in the territory -- that was formerly under Spanish rule and that was retrieved by Morocco in 1975 under the Madrid accord-- and stressed the absolute necessity for all the Moroccans of Sahrawi origin to participate in the vote.

The Chilean delegation which is expected to make a trip to the Southern provinces said one of the purposes of its visit to Morocco is to have "a broader vision" on the Sahara issue.

Member of the delegation, Alejandro Navarro told MAP the Chilean MPs were informed on issues that are of interest to them and that talks with Moroccan officials were "frank and transparent."

The delegation-- made up of representatives of all the political parties represented in the Chilean parliament-- is also scheduled to meet the prime minister, Abderrahmane Youssoufi.

The Speaker of the Chilean senate is equally expected in Morocco next March 19 to explore means of establishing a permanent dialogue between the Chilean and Moroccan legislative institutions.