European parliament delegation confers with Moroccan officials

The European parliament delegation, which is currently on a visit to Morocco, held a series of meetings Thursday with several members of the Moroccan cabinet, on the evolution witnessed by Morocco at the political, social and economic levels.

The delegation, that conferred with Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi, minister of the interior, Driss Jettou, minister in charge of human rights, Mohamed Aujjar, and secretary of state for foreign affairs and cooperation, Taib Fassi Fihri, was informed on the developments of the Sahara issue, on Morocco's stand on this issue, and on its determination to fully cooperate with the UN to find a definitive settlement to the issue.

The delegation, led by vice-speaker of the European Parliament, Catherine Lalumière, was also briefed on the dire situation of the 1362 Moroccans still detained in the polisario-controlled camps in Tindouf, south-western Algeria, and was urged to contribute to the release of these detainees, most of whom having been imprisoned for more than 20 years.

Talks equally covered the progress scored by Morocco in matters of human rights and the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation existing between Morocco and the European Union.

The European Parliament delegation, which started its visit to Morocco Monday, also conferred with the speakers of the two chambers of the Moroccan parliament and the parliamentary group in charge of relations with the European parliament.

The delegation made a trip to the Moroccan southern city of Laayoune Tuesday and Wednesday and held there several meetings with local authorities, elected representatives, heads of local tribes and dignitaries, former members of the Polisario and representatives of the civil society.