Premier meets Ivoirian delegation

Morocco's Prime Minister, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, met in Rabat Friday an Ivoirian delegation made up of foreign affairs minister, Abou Drahamane Sangare, and defense minister, Moise Lida Koussi.

Talks covered means to upgrade relations between Morocco and Cote d'Ivoire and the upcoming meeting of the two countries' joint commission, to convene in Rabat next October, under the co-chairmanship of the two countries Prime Ministers.

Sangare informed Youssoufi on the latest developments in Cote d'Ivoire and on efforts made to consolidate institutions and ensure stability.

Sangare met Thursday with minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, with whom he reviewed means to give a new impetus to cooperation between the two African countries.

The Ivoirian official also met economy, finance, privatization and tourism minister, Fathallah Oualalou.

In 1998, Cote d'Ivoire's imports from Morocco totaled 286 million DH (about $26 million) against 296 million DH ($ 27 million) in exports.

The ministerial delegation, arrived Wednesday in Morocco, was received by King Mohammed VI.