Moroccan-Tunisian political consultation commission meets in Rabat

The Moroccan-Tunisian political consultation commission discussed in Rabat Monday new forms of coordination between the two states on major topics of mutual concern.

The meeting chaired by foreign ministers Mohamed Benaissa and Habib Ben Yahia was meant to confer a global dimension to bilateral relations.

Benaissa hailed efforts made by Tunisia within the Troika in charge of the Euro-African summit -slated for next April 3-4 in Cairo - to debate debt and economic cooperation and come up with a strategic partnership between the two sides.

He also hailed Tunisia's endeavors to set up mechanisms activating bilateral agreements and enforcing recommendations by the Moroccan-Tunisian high joint commission.

Ben Yahia renewed his country's attachment to the edification of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA, including Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia) and determination to carry on efforts with the countries of the region to give a new impetus to joint action.

Morocco and Tunisia signed in March 1999 a free-trade agreement, setting up the free trade area and lifting duties on some 2,000 non-agricultural products carrying below 10% customs duty.

The other custom duties will be gradually lowered up to the year 2007.

At the level of the Arab world, Morocco is Tunisia's second client and supplier, accounting for 10.3% of Tunisia's exports and providing 12.2% of the north African country's imports.

Morocco's exports to Tunisia are mainly made up of chemical wood paste, soluble coffee, tires, car spare parts, and industrial oils. The kingdom's imports from Tunisia consist of plastic items, electric transformers and TV sets.