Morocco's premier in Germany: a political trip with economic effects

Moroccan prime minister, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, who started on Sunday a three-day official visit to Germany at the invitation of chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, said his visit is no doubt a political one but it will undoubtedly have economic effects.

Youssoufi, who is the first Moroccan prime minister to visit Germany in 30 years, started talks with German officials and attended a dinner banquet hosted in his honor by state foreign minister, Christoph Zoepel, on behalf of foreign minister, Joshcka Fisher.

On the same day, he attended the fast-breaking meal with associations representing the Germany-based Moroccan community and business community.

Youssoufi is scheduled to meet German chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder, and president Johannes Rau.

The prime minister will also give a lecture at the Friedrich Ebert foundation on "Where is Morocco going? Challenge for the 21st century."

In the economic field, the prime minister, who is accompanied by economy, finance and tourism minister, Fathallah Oualalou, will chair the signing of a convention between Morocco and German tour operator "Condor und Neckermann." The second largest travel operator in Germany will carry out a tourism compound in the southwestern city of Agadir.