Morocco, Italy agree to bolster legislative cooperation

Morocco and Italy signed Wednesday here an accord destined to bolster cooperation and partnership between the two countries' legislative bodies.

The Moroccan-Italian accord provides for the holding of regular meetings between parliaments to exchange of experiences and reinforce dialogue between Moroccan and Italian MPs regarding topical issues of common concern.

The accord -- initialed by Speaker of the Moroccan House of Representatives Abdelouahed Radi and Speaker of the Italian deputies chamber, Luciano Violante -- was concluded on the fringes of the international parliamentary meeting Morocco is hosting in preparation for the World Parliaments Conference due next year at the UN headquarters.

On the occasion of his participation in the preparatory meeting for the world parliaments conference (Sept.8-9), the speaker of the Italian deputies chamber had talks with Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi, Justice Minister Omar Azzimane, and speaker of the Moroccan chamber of advisors (upper House of the Parliament), Mohammed Jalal Essaid.

Talks focused on Moroccan-Italian relations, Morocco's political alternation experience, economic performance, Euro-Mediterranean partnership, Italian investments in Morocco, the Moroccan community settled in Italy and Morocco's efforts to modernize judiciary apparatus, consolidate democratic process and protect human rights.