Four Arab states Sign in Rabat FTZ agreement

Foreign ministers of Morocco, Jordan, Tunisia and Egypt signed in Rabat this Wednesday the Agadir declaration that provides for the creation of a free trade zone between the four Arab south Mediterranean states.

The FTA known as the Agadir declaration was first initialled by the four countries in May 2001 in the southern Atlantic city of Agadir. In addition to the four initial member-countries, the initiative is open to other Arab states wishing to join in.

The agreement was signed by Morocco's, Mohamed Benaissa, Jordan's Marouane Al Moachar, Tunisia's Habib Benyahia and Egypt's Ahmed Maher.

Foreign minister of Mauritania, Mohamed Fal Ould Bilal, Libya's deputy secretary general in charge of the UMA, Othmane Madi, and UMA secretary general El Habib Boulaaras were also present alongside secretary general of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, European commissioner for foreign relations, Christ Patten and a representative for the Irish presidency of the EU, Patrick O'Connor.

Representatives from Syria, Lebanon, la Palestine and Algeria were also present.