Youssoufi gets Spanish Famous Reader Atlantida Prize

Morocco's Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi has been awarded this year's "Famous Reader Atlantida Prize" by the Catalunia Editors association (Spain).

The Prize handed Friday night rewards Youssoufi for "ardent liking of reading and his personal career as a statesman and as an editor for the promotion of values of culture and freedom of expression."

Standing for the premier, minister in charge of relations with Parliament Mohamed Bouzoubaa said granting the prize for the first time to a personality from the Southern Mediterranean is indeed a tribution to a neighboring and friendly country as a whole.

Reading out Youssoufi's message, the minister said Morocco is a country on the move consolidating institutions, updating administration and justice, enhancing economic and social structures coping up with social deficits to better take on challenges of the new information society, knowledge and the new millenium communication.

Bouzoubaa also underscored Moroccan resolve to enhance ties with Catalunia and Spain which remains the kingdom's second economic partner and the gate to Europe.