Morocco, Argentina note 'great potential' in economic, trade cooperation

Morocco and Argentina have pledged to raise bilateral cooperation to the level of the "excellent political relations" noting the existence of a "great potential" in economic and trade cooperation that will benefit both countries.

This came in a joint communique released, Monday night, on the occasion of the two-day State visit of King Mohammed VI to Argentina, last leg of a five-nation South American tour that already took him to Mexico, Brazil, Peru and Chile.

King Mohammed VI and President Nestor Carlos Kirchner, the communique said, voiced resolve to step up efforts in order to "consolidate ties of friendship and mutual respect" and to boost cooperation between the public and private sectors.

They voiced interest in promoting scientific and technical research through the exchange of information and training, in particular in the new technologies field.

The two leaders also voiced satisfaction at the conclusion of a Trade framework agreement between Morocco and the South American market MERCOSUR, prior to reaching a preferential agreement and the creation of a free trade zone.

They highlighted the role both countries can play in promoting relations between the MERCOSUR (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay) and the North African region of the Maghreb (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania), two groupings that would contribute to strengthening relations between the Arab World and Africa, on the one hand, and South America on the other hand.

Both leaders voiced satisfaction at "the convergence of views" between Morocco and Argentina on regional and international issues and at the holding of the first ever Summit between Arab and South American countries next May in Brazil and the preparatory ministerial meeting in Marrakech in March.

On the Sahara dispute, President Kirchner reiterated his country's support to the United nations' efforts to reach a political, negotiated and final solution accepted by the concerned parties.

The Sahara dispute has been opposing since 1976 Morocco and the Algeria-backed separatist movement that is seeking the separation of the Southern Moroccan provinces, known as the Sahara, from the rest of the Kingdom. The former Spanish colony was retrieved by Rabat in 1975 under the Madrid Accords signed with Spain and Mauritania.

President Kirchner thanked, on the other hand, the monarch for Morocco's support to his country over of the Falklands issue by preaching dialogue between the parties in order to reach a just, peaceful and lasting solution to this dispute opposing the South American country to Great Britain.

On the Middle East, both leaders voiced concern over the escalation of violence and the sufferings endured by the peoples in the region and called for the implementation of the "Road Map."

President Kirchner praised in this regard the monarch's role, in his capacity as chairman of the Al Quds (Jerusalem) Committee, for his efforts to reach a just, equitable and lasting solution to this conflict, the communiqué said.

On the situation in Iraq, the two leaders hoped that security would prevail to pave the way for the holding of elections.

They reaffirmed their strong condemnation of terrorism and organized crime and voiced resolve to cooperate in fighting these plagues.