Moroccan premier upbeat FTA with US to be signed by april

Moroccan prime minister, Driss Jettou, voiced this Thursday confidence that the free-trade agreement, currently being negotiated with the USA, will be signed by next April.

The official told MAP, following a meeting in Marrakesh with US senators Chuck Hagel (republican) and Jack Reed (Democrat), who started Wednesday a two-day visit to Morocco, concrete progress has been achieved in negotiations despite some difficulties that could be overcome through dialogue.

"The free Trade agreement with the United States will consolidate development efforts in Morocco and highlight its potentials in investment," Jettou noted.

Of the Sahara question, Jettou said the senators showed understanding as to Morocco's position, recalling that Washington supports a political solution to the issue and dialogue between parties.

On his part, minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohammed Benaissa, who also met the US senators, on a tour to North Africa and Europe, said the meeting discussed security and stability in the region in addition to international questions such as the Iraqi crisis and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.