Moroccan foreign minister announces measures to upgrade diplomatic staff

Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, said Monday the ministry structures and diplomatic action should be reconsidered to match international standards.

Benaissa, who spoke as new directors at the ministry appointed by King Mohammed VI took their office, said the king has decided that new ambassadors would be appointed for a four-year term renewable only once.

The head of the Moroccan diplomacy also announced the opening next January of a school for international and diplomatic studies at Al Akhawayn university in Ifrane to train top diplomats. A center for the training of new and acting diplomats will also be opened under the supervision of the foreign department and the ministries of economy and finance, of justice, of social affairs, of trade and handicraft and of communication. Courses will be given by Moroccan ambassadors, especially retired ones.

Last Friday, the king appointed new ambassadors to several Arab, Africa, European, Asian and Latin American countries.