Morocco and France sign several cooperation accords

Morocco and France signed Friday in Paris a package of cooperation accords at the end of the 2nd meeting of their joint high cooperation commission held Oct.1-2 under the chairmanship of prime ministers, Abderrahmane Youssoufi and Lionel Jospin.

The accords deal with the alleviation of Morocco's debts, financial assistance to Moroccan small and medium enterprises, education promotion, vocational training in addition to water and electricity projects in rural zones.

The annual meeting between Moroccan and French prime ministers was instituted by French president Jacques Chirac and King Hassan II during the state visit the sovereign paid to France in May 1996.

While in Paris, the Moroccan premier was received by President Chirac and had talks with French peer Lionel Jospin, Speaker of the National Assembly, Laurent Fabius, and several leaders of French political parties.

Talks focused on Moroccan-French partnership in various sectors, trade exchanges, Morocco's alternation political experience which brought to power a socialist-led government, external debts and efforts to promote human rights culture and enhance the competitiveness of Moroccan enterprises.