Morocco, France concerned over situation in Africa

Morocco and France on Friday voiced concern over the situation prevailing in some parts of Africa.

A joint communique, made public at the end of the third annual meeting of the Moroccan-French High Joint Commission, carried Paris and Rabat's "determination to actively contribute to the return of peace in these regions and to intensify consultation to efficiently act in this direction."

The Moroccan and French sides lauded the upcoming Euro-African summit, to be held next April in Cairo under the chairmanship of Portugal.

The summit will be attended by European and African countries, member of the United Nations Organization.

Rabat and Paris voiced hope that the summit will be the starting point for a renovated relation of solidarity and close cooperation between the European Union and Africa.

They convened to reinforce cooperation with Africa through backing Morocco's action in favor of sub-saharan African nations.

The two sides also agreed on a tri-partite cooperation program (Morocco, France and African countries) as a step towards an original partnership. They decided, in this vein, to hold a meeting during the first quarter of 2000 to set the projects of the program and the related implementation modes.