Morocco and Chile sign cooperation accord

Morocco and Chile signed Friday here a cooperation accord and a memorandum of understanding providing for the consolidation of cooperation between the two countries in the political, economic, scientific and technical fields.

The two documents were initialled by Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, and visiting Chile's secretary of state in charge of foreign relations, Mariano Fernandez.

Morocco and Chile agree to set up a joint commission that will identify priority cooperation sectors and follow up the implementation of the signed accords.

The two countries pledged to coordinate stands in international fora to promote world peace and stability.

The Moroccan foreign affairs minister and the Chilean official said the accords will contribute to boosting partnership between the two countries in all sectors and will enhance understanding between Moroccan and Chilean peoples.

The Chilean secretary of state in charge of foreign relations, who arrived Wednesday in Morocco on a several-day work visit, had intensive talks with several Moroccan cabinet members on bilateral relations and on ways to rev up trade exchanges and bolster economic cooperation.

Moroccan-Chilean talks focused on social and economic challenges facing the two countries as well as joint business opportunities in agriculture, fisheries, tourism and industry.

Cooperation prospects between the Moroccan and Chilean parliaments and audiovisual bodies, investments, Morocco's relations with Latin American countries, economic performance, political stability and efforts to promote human rights and democracy were also tackled during the Moroccan-Chilean talks.