Morocco's ambassadors to European Union countries meet in Brussels

Morocco's ambassadors to member countries of the European Union held Monday in Brussels a meeting with Moroccan secretary of state for foreign affairs and cooperation, Taib Fassi Fihri over ways of improving Moroccan diplomacy performance.

The meeting was held at the high instructions of King Mohammed VI, Fassi Fihri told MAP. He said Moroccan diplomacy should set up an interactive system to draw most benefits abroad from the initiatives made by the sovereign and to explore all cooperation opportunities with foreign countries.

The meeting assessed the evolution of the Sahara issue, Morocco's top national cause, and surveyed the priorities set by King Mohammed VI for a new approach in the management of the affairs of the Moroccan community settled abroad, the secretary of state said.

Debates also covered prospects for Maghreban integration and the response of the Arab-Islamic world to current challenges, he said adding that the meeting was held on the eve of the second session of the Morocco-EU association council and at a moment the US-British military operations against Afghanistan make the news, which will undoubtedly have an impact on international relations.

He insisted on the role of the diplomat whose task is no longer limited to the traditional diplomatic action and cooperation. An ambassador, he said, has to deal with opinion and decision-makers in the economic, political and cultural spheres as well as with trade unionists, ngos and civil society activists. The diplomat has to deal with so varied sectors such as human rights, social development, housing, environment or struggle against drug trafficking, Fassi Fihri said.

Fassi Fihri is leading the Moroccan delegation to the second session of the Morocco-European Union association council convening this Tuesday in Luxembourg.

The meeting-- that falls in the frame of the Morocco-EU association accord signed in 1996 and enforced in March 2000-will probe progress made in the implementation of the economic, social and cultural provisions of the association accord.

The Morocco-European Union association council, a consultative body set up by the association accord, held its first session in October 2000 in Luxembourg.