Belgium-financed water project dedicated in Ouarzazate

A drinking water supply project co-financed by Belgium was dedicated on Wednesday in the southeastern Moroccan city of Ouarzazate, in the presence of Belgian Secretary of State for Cooperation and Development Reginald Moreels.

The project, which will meet the city's population's needs up to year 2005, cost more than $24 million (235 million DH), with half of the amount having been supplied by Belgium.

Moreels was a member of the party of Belgian Prime Minister Jean-Luc Dehaene, who paid an official visit to Morocco on Tuesday.

The visit was marked by the signing of an agreement to promote and protect investments in both countries and by intensive talks with officials and economic operators on means to rev up trade exchanges and upgrade partnership.

Bilateral cooperation in the financial, cultural and technical fields, as well as relations between Morocco and the European Union and alleviation of Morocco's debts were also covered by the Moroccan-Belgian talks.

Belgium extended to Morocco between 1990 and 1997 nearly $ 69 million (670 million DH) in public assistance.