Preparatory meeting for joint high commission between Morocco-Libya

Morocco and Libya started on Monday in Rabat a preparatory meeting for their joint high cooperation commission, to convene in Morocco during July.

The joint commission, set up in 1990, explores ways of boosting partnership between the two Maghreban countries in various industrial and commercial sectors.

The commission holds regular meetings alternately in Morocco and Libya to follow up on joint cooperation actions and identify priority sectors needing further coordination, Map reported.

The preparatory meeting, which started proceedings under the co-chairmanship of Moroccan Transports Minister Mustafa Mansouri and Libyan Justice Minister Mohamed Ben Kacem Zoui, set up four sectoral commissions to elaborate partnership projects in the fields of finance, economy, industry, services and human resources, Map reported.

Libya is particularly interested in Morocco's experience in the fields of agriculture, irrigation, pharmaceuticals, textiles and handicrafts.

Morocco and Libya are members of the Arab Maghreb Union, which also encompasses Tunisia, Algeria and Mauritania.

The union, set up in 1989 in Marrakesh (Morocco), had its activities frozen because of Algeria's direct involvement in the Sahara issue.

The UN embargo imposed on Libya for alleged involvement in the bombing of a U.S. plane over the Scottish village of Lockerbie, also contributed to hampering the union's march towards integration among the five Maghreban nations.