Morocco and Spain willing to open new chapter in bilateral ties, Moroccan fm

Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, stressed this Monday the existence of a shared will by Morocco and Spain to "open a new chapter in bilateral ties."

The head of the Moroccan diplomacy told reporters prior to the opening of the 6th high-level joint meeting held this Dec.8-9 that with the visit to Morocco of Spanish premier, Jose Maria Aznar, every means will be used to further consolidate confidence between the two peoples and the two governments.

The Moroccan official also hoped that all agreements already signed and those to be concluded by the high-level meeting will be enforced in order to give a new impetus to bilateral relations.

Benaissa also praised "the positive evolution" of Moroccan-Spanish cooperation in immigration, citing, in this context, the agreements reached during last month's visit to Madrid by Moroccan home minister, El Mustapha Sahel.

On the Moroccan Sahara issue, he said "Spain henceforth understands Morocco's stance. We appreciate it."

The two countries are convening in Marrakech their 6th high-level joint meeting under the co-chairmanship of Spanish premier, Jose Maria Aznar, and Moroccan prime minister, Driss Jettou.