Morocco, France set up task group on immigrants' integration

Morocco and France will set up a joint task group that will design a new approach to the integration of immigrants living in France.

The decision was made at a meeting here Thursday between Princess Lalla Meriem, chairwoman of the Moroccan observatory for children's rights, who is attending the preparatory committee for the special session of the General Assembly on children held in the United Nations headquarters, and the representative of President Jacques Chirac of France to the meeting, Ms Marie Therese Hermange.

Princess Lalla Meriem raised a number of problems facing the Moroccan community settled in Europe and especially those of Moroccan children living in France. She laid a special emphasis on the expulsion cases and on means to address such cases.

The two sides decided to set up a joint task group that will meet shortly to ponder on new modes for the integration of immigrants.

Princess Lalla Meriem also conferred with the ambassador of China, Shen Guofang, who voiced his country's determination to back Morocco's efforts in the social field, and especially efforts targeting childhood.

Princess Lalla Meriem later on took part in debates on the draft conclusions to be adopted by the preparatory committee.

The Moroccan delegation to the preparatory committee session is led by Prince Moulay Rachid, younger brother to King Mohammed VI, and chairman of the Moroccan preparatory committee for the special session.