DR Congo counts on Morocco

The Democratic Republic of Congo "counts very much on Morocco," said DR Congo international cooperation deputy minister, Thassinda Uba Thassinda.

The official, who visited Morocco last week to hand King Mohammed VI a message from DR Congo President Joseph Kabila, told "Le Matin du Sahara et du Maghreb" daily that his country and Morocco have always had good relations.

Thassinda underlined that Morocco and his country can intensify cooperation in the transportation sector.

He noted that Moroccan canned products are "very much appreciated" by Congolese consumers.

To consolidate cooperation, Thassinda called for the opening of a direct air route between Kinshasa and Rabat. He added that in view of the food crisis hitting his country, "any assistance from Morocco will be welcome."

Thassinda thanked Morocco for twenty scholarships it extended to Congolese students for the 2000-2001 academic year.