Austrian President Hails Morocco's role in the Maghreb

President of Austria, Thomas Klestil, hailed as "paramount important" the political and economic role played by Morocco in the Maghreb region and said Morocco is among the most active partners in the Barcelona process.

Austria is keen on promoting further relations with the countries of the southern shore of the Mediterranean and especially with Morocco, which plays a very important economic and political role in the Maghreb region, President Klestil said while receiving on Monday Morocco's newly appointed ambassador to Austria, Tajeddine Baddou.

The Austrian head of state underlined the longstanding relations existing between the two countries and the importance of the association accord between Morocco and the European Union-that came into force last March-- expressing hope that this accord would give a new momentum to trade and economic cooperation between Rabat and Vienna, a release by Morocco's embassy in Vienna said.