Morocco, Belgium sign economic-cultural accord

Morocco and Belgium concluded in Rabat on Tuesday a tripartite cooperation accord binding Morocco, the French community and the Wallony region in Belgium.

The accord, initialed by the minister-president of the Belgian Wallony government, Elio Di Rupo, and Moroccan minister in charge of the Maghreb, the Arab and Islamic world, Abdeslam Znined, provides for enhanced cooperation in economy, culture, education and youth.

The two sides set up a joint standing commission to follow up this cooperation.

At the economic level, the accord focuses on foreign trade, the promotion of small and medium-sized enterprises, environment, and administration devolution.

Inter-university and scientific cooperation is provided by the accord that equally covers social affairs, sports, health, audiovisual and other areas.

The minister-president of the Wallony government who started on Monday a three-day visit to Morocco dedicated the offices of the Wallony-Brussels delegation in Rabat.

The delegation, which has a representation in Casablanca, will supervise the various cooperation actions between the two sides.

Elio Di Rupo had conferred on Monday evening with Moroccan Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi on the consolidation of cooperation in the economic and educational field between Morocco, the French community and the Wallony region.