Morocco and Egypt adopt cooperation program in communication

Morocco and Egypt have adopted a program of action to enhance cooperation between their media institutions.

The program that concerns the Moroccan and Egyptian communication departments, radio and TV channels, news agencies and cinematographic centers was adopted by the joint communication cooperation commission, which held its second session in Cairo last week.

Under the program, the radio and television channels will co-produce broadcasts and serials, exchange programs, and cooperate in matters of staff training. The two countries' television channels will start the shooting of a serial on the voyage of Ibn Batouta by the end of the current month.

The news agencies "Maghreb Arabe Presse" MAP and "Middle East News Agency" MENA are called to conclude a new cooperation accord on the exchange of information.

The commission also called for lowering the obstacles hampering the distribution of Moroccan magazines and papers in Egypt.

Another Moroccan - Egyptian accord on cooperation in matters of higher education and scientific research was concluded last week in Rabat.

Egyptian minister of higher education who was on a visit to Morocco announced during the signing ceremony that Egypt will grant facilities to Moroccan students attending Egyptian universities and will increase the number of scholarships extended to them.

While in Morocco, the Egyptian official was received by King Hassan II who entrusted him with conveying a message to President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt.

The Agriculture commission also held a meeting in Cairo few days ago. It agreed on number of projects destined to foster partnership in matters of farming, plants and livestock protection and veterinary research.

The Moroccan and Egyptian businessmen, on their part, held a meeting in Rabat, early February, to elaborate several projects meant to spur trade exchange between the two countries.

This exchange of visits and the meetings of joint commissions are part of preparations for the high cooperation commission that will convene in Morocco next spring under the chairmanship of King Hassan II and President Mubarak.