King Hassan received Niger President, agreements signed

King Hassan II held Thursday evening at the Royal Palace of Skhirat tete-a-tete talks with visiting president of Niger, Ibrahim Mainassara Bare.

The Nigerien president, who arrived Wednesday in Morocco on a several-day work visit, told reporters that his visit to the Kingdom is part of the regular contacts and cooperation ties binding the two African countries.

He also paid tribute to King Hassan for his role played on the African and Muslim scenes for the promotion of peace and unity.

Also on Thursday, Morocco and Niger signed several accords to bolster cooperation between the two countries in the fields of tourism, handicraft and related sectors.

The accords provide for the exchange of data and expertise and for coordination in marketing and vocational training. The two countries will hold joint trade events and encourage contacts between the two countries' tourism professionals and craftsmen.

Morocco and Niger also signed on the same day a memorandum of understanding to foster political coordination between the two countries' foreign departments.

The Memo, which seeks to reinforce the south-south cooperation, will enhance permanent consultation between Morocco and Niger on the international scene regarding topical issues of common concern.

Niger's visiting transport minister, Ousmane Oubandawaki, voiced his hope to see Moroccan air company "Royal Air Maroc" increase its flights to Niger, especially between the cities of Casablanca and Niamey.

At a meeting held with Moroccan Transport minister Mustafa Mansouri, the Nigerien official said his country looks forward to benefitting from Morocco's experience in matters of air transportation, maintenance and technical training.

The two sides called for encouraging the exchange of visits between experts and stressed the need to update the air transport accord concluded between Morocco and Niger in 1982.