EU foreign policy and security official in Morocco

The European Union high representative for foreign and security policy, Javier Solana, will start on Tuesday a two-day official visit to Morocco, which he called "an extremely important partner in the Mediterranean."

Solana told MAP office in Brussels all the European Union institutions wish to establish with Morocco the most regular and intensive dialogue. He added he will review with Moroccan officials Morocco's views on bilateral relations, Euro-Mediterranean ties and the strategic stake of the EU's extension to east European countries.

He added that the Morocco-EU association agreement, which entered into force in March 2000, is not limited to economic aspects but is open to many other fields to make of it a model association and explore all tracks.

Of immigration issues, he said bilateral dialogue should take into account the important Moroccan community living in Europe and should not ignore the fact that migration policies should be based on clear rules and that Morocco is subjected to migratory flows from the south.

He went on that the European Union is taking new moves in the field of security and wants to consolidate its peace-establishment capacity, a stance that is no different from Morocco's philosophy.

Of the Sahara issue, Solana renewed the Union's backing to efforts by the United Nations secretary general and his personal envoy. He went that important ideas were made, referring to Annan's latest proposals that were endorsed by the Security Council and assured that the EU is ready to support earnest discussion on this basis.

Solana is visiting Morocco three days after the end of a visit of the EU trade commissioner, Pascal Lamy, and other visits by Foreign relations commissioner, Chris Patten, and president head of the European Commission, Romano Prodi.