Morocco seeks German backing at European Union

The Moroccan government called Germany to endeavor to consolidate Morocco's ties and partnership with the European Union mainly in matters of trade and economy.

The call was made by Moroccan officials during the talks they had with visiting speaker of the German Bundestag, Thierse Wolfgang, whose country holds currently the rotating chairmanship of the European Union (EU).

"Germany will defend the interests of Morocco, which is Europe's major trade partner, during the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation conference due in 1999 in Stuttgart," the Bundestag chief told Moroccan officials.

The Speaker of the German Parliament lower chamber -- who started Wednesday a three-day visit to Morocco -- was received in Marrakesh by King Hassan II and met in Rabat with Moroccan premier, Abderrahmane Youssoufi as well as with speaker of the Moroccan House of Representatives and the ministers in charge of the government's general affairs and of Human Rights.

Talks focused on cooperation prospects between Moroccan and German legislative bodies, the evolution of trade exchanges, investment and the valuable technical and financial assistance provided by Germany in various socio-economic development sectors.

The Euro-Mediterranean conference scheduled in stuttgart, the sahara issue, the conversion of German debts into investments and Morocco's efforts to promote Human rights and consolidate the rule of the law were also raised during the Moroccan-German Talks.