Spanish premier starts official visit to Morocco

Spanish premier Jose Maria Aznar starts this Monday a two-day official visit to Morocco at the invitation of Moroccan peer, Abderrahmane Youssoufi.

Immediately after arrival, Aznar held a first meeting with Youssoufi.

The visit is meant to give a new impetus to bilateral relations and to stress the priority Spain gives relations with Morocco.

This is Aznar's fourth visit to Morocco since he first came to the Spanish premiership in May 1996.

The Spanish premier had a 48-hour private stay in Marrakesh before coming to Rabat.

Spanish official sources had said Aznar would hand Youssoufi "an integrated action program for the development of Morocco's Mediterranean region."

Aznar also meets Spanish businessmen and nationals settled in the Moroccan northern city of Tangiers. He will also attend the dedication of several projects for disabled people in the city of Tetouan, near Tangiers in the north.

Aznar's visit is part of a tradition by Spanish premiers and according to which Morocco is the first destination of the premier after his election.

Aznar has just won a second term as Spanish premier.