Spanish FM voiced optimism, confidence after meeting in Madrid with Benaissa

Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister, Ana Palacio was upbeat and confident after meeting she held in Madrid on Wednesday with Moroccan Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Minister, Mohamed Benaissa.

"Wednesday's talks paved the way for good and solid ties with Morocco in conformity with the fruitful cultural, social and economic relations between the two countries," said Palacio in a statement aired Thursday by two Spanish radio stations, RNE and Onda Cero.

She stressed that diplomatic relations are bound to have "more concrete and visible effects through the return of Ambassadors to their respective posts (the Moroccan ambassador to Madrid and the Spanish to Rabat).

Morocco called back its Ambassador in Madrid on October 28th 2001, in protest against stances adopted by Spain that were deemed hostile to Moroccan interests. Spain followed suit in July 2002.

Palacio invited both parties to be patient, adding that Wednesday meetings' objectives were fully met in terms of re-building trust.

In a joint release issued on Wednesday, the two sides inventoried all pending issues and difficulties that dimmed bilateral relations in the recent months and agreed to promote a positive approach to their ties.