Morocco, Kuwait set up high joint commission

Morocco and Kuwait signed in Rabat on Thursday an agreement creating a high joint commission which is to hold its first session in 2002 in Kuwait City.

According to an official document, the agreement was signed by Morocco's minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, and visiting peer, Sheikh Mohamed Sabah Assalem Assabah.

The commission's first session will look into means to consolidate bilateral cooperation in realms of economy, finance, investment, technology and culture.

The two officials stressed that the commission creation is a turning point in the process to upgrade cooperation between the two countries and promote trade exchanges.

The Moroccan and Kuwaiti foreign ministers also stressed the need to enforce the investments encouragement and promotion agreement in order to open new prospects for investors of the two countries, reactivate agreements on technical cooperation and promote cooperation in all fields, especially in air transport.

The head of the Kuwaiti diplomacy said bilateral relations have been marked by Kuwait's participation in Moroccan development, recalling that the Kuwaiti Development Fund has allocated over US$ 800 million to Moroccan projects and has earmarked a budget of US$ 450 million to various projects by 2004.

Benaissa said Morocco has always stood on the side of Kuwait throughout history to defend its rights, freedom, territorial integrity and independence and renewed Morocco's attachment to international legality.