French MPs confer with Moroccan officials

A French parliamentary delegation, led by chairman of the foreign affairs committee at the national Assembly, Francois Loncle, on Thursday started a four-day visit to Morocco.

The delegation held talks with several Moroccan officials, including Prime Minister, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, Minister of the interior, Ahmed El-Midaoui, and speaker of the House of Representatives (lower house of the Moroccan parliament), Abdelouahed Radi.

The meeting with Youssoufi reviewed the impact of drought on the economic and social situation in the Kingdom and actions conducted by the government.

Youssoufi answered the questions raised by the French MPs on the coming legislative elections (slated for 2002), relations between Morocco and the European Union, and coordination between Morocco and France in the prospect of the coming negotiations within the World Trade Organization (WTO), a statement by the Prime Minister's office said.

Issues related to water, the Kyoto protocol and Morocco's latest proposals concerning its territorial integrity were also brought up.

The French parliamentary delegation will also meet secretary of state for foreign affairs and cooperation, Taib Fassi Fihri, and young business managers.

They will make a trip to the southern city of Laayoune for talks with local elected representatives and to Marrakesh for meetings with tourism operators.