Moroccan-Egyptian coordination committee meets in Cairo Thursday

The Moroccan-Egyptian coordination and follow-up committee holds its first meeting in Cairo Thursday to prepare for the 4th session of the high joint commission scheduled for next May in the Egyptian capital.

The committee's meeting to be co-chaired by the two countries' foreign ministers, Mohamed Benaissa and Amr Moussa, will draft a detailed report on bilateral cooperation and future prospects that will be submitted to the high joint commission.

Delegates of the private sector and businessmen on their part set up a working group that will focus on cooperation in the field of trade and investments.

The Moroccan-Egyptian high joint commission that convenes every year, alternately in Rabat and Cairo, was set up in 1997.

The third session of the joint commission was marked by the signing of several accords and protocols related to the sectors of fisheries, transport, agriculture, and social affairs. An accord setting up a free trade area between the two countries came into force in April 1999.

Benaissa told the Egyptian news agency MENA that during his trip to Cairo, he will also discuss with Amr Moussa Arab and African issues as well as coordination on Euro-Mediterranean partnership.