Moroccan premier holds talks with Iranian officials

Moroccan prime minister, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, held on Wednesday a second round of political talks with Iranian first vice-president, Hassan Habibi, who hosted a dinner banquet in honor of Youssoufi.

The two men had held on the same day a first private meeting that was enlarged to the Moroccan delegation accompanying the prime minister and a group of Iranian officials. Talks covered means to promote bilateral relations and other issues of mutual concern.

Youssoufi's visit to Iran is the first ever by a high-ranking Moroccan official since the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran.

On the same day, the prime minister held with speaker of the Choura council (parliament) a tete-a-tete meeting that was then enlarged to the Moroccan party, Iranian officials and parliamentarians.

Youssoufi also visited the mausoleum of the late Imam Khomeiny where he laid a wreath of flowers.

A meeting with the leader of the Iranian republic, Ayatollah Ali Khameini is scheduled for this Thursday.

Youssoufi has told reporters in Tehran although the visit is a political one, it will also be an opportunity to upgrade trade, economic and cultural cooperation.

Youssoufi's visit is scheduled to highlight with the signing of a package of agreements on economic, tourism and cultural cooperation.

According to Morocco's exchange office, Moroccan imports from Iran considerably grew in the last four years from 500 million DH ($ 47.6 mln) in 1996 to 2 billion DH ($ 190.4 mln) in the first six months of 2000. Exports, which did not exceed 314 million DH ($ 30 mln) in 1996, declined to 290 million DH ($ 27.6 mln) in 1998 and totaled 500 million DH ($ 47.6 mln) in the first six months of 2000.