Benaissa, Argentine peer open joint commission works

Morocco is determined to enhance cooperation ties with Argentina not only in the economic realms but also as a strategic partner, said minister of foreign affairs and cooperation Mohamed Benaissa.

Opening in Rabat Monday the works of the 3d session of the Moroccan-Argentine Joint Commission, Benaissa said the meeting will help consolidate the legal framework for bilateral relations, push forward programs under way and identify new sectors for cooperation between the two countries.

Argentine external relations, international trade and religion minister Adalberto Rodriguez Giavarini said his being in Morocco is part of strategy of overture of his country which deems the Maghreb a promising area for trade. Argentina grants a special interest to Morocco and means to raise the level of economic exchanges to match excellent political ties, he said alluding to promising sectors such as sea-fisheries, peaceful-ends nuclear energy and advanced technologies.

Giavarini explained how his country relied on its ''Mercosur'' membership to boost exports saying it would back the Kingdom in its attempt to become an ''observer'' within the regional economic grouping in Latin America.

In 1999, Argentina was the 4th supplier and 5th client of Morocco in the region with trade exchanges standing at 70 million USD.