Morocco's FM to travel to Brussels for talks with European commission

Morocco's Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Minister, Mohammed Benaissa, will fly next week to Brussels for talks with European officials on relations between Morocco and the European Union (EU).

Benaissa will confer with Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission, on several issues of common concern to Morocco and EU, Prodi's spokesman said.

The spokesman underlined that Morocco and EU are bound by "sound relations," describing Morocco as a "neighbor and friend of the EU."

The situation in the Maghreb and other economic and political issues, including questions related to fisheries will be debated during Benaissa's visit to Brussels, the spokesman said.

Benaissa will also hold talks with European Commissioner for External Relations, Chris Patten, as well as with EU High Representative for External Policy, Javier Solana.

Solana's spokesperson, Ms. Christina Gallach, told MAP Benaissa and Solana will assess the evolution of the Morocco-EU partnership, provided for by the bilateral Association Accord.