Moroccan premier meets head of Spanish opposition

Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi met in Rabat Tuesday with the secretary general of the Spanish Labor Socialist Party (PSOE, opposition), Joaquim Almunia, who arrived on the same day in Morocco.

The Moroccan premier informed his guest on the peaceful transition in Morocco and ongoing political and social changes.

Youssoufi also reaffirmed that Morocco, which refused to renew the fisheries agreement with the European Union after it expired last November 30, wants new forms of cooperation other than direct fishing activities.

The Spanish socialist leader was also briefed on evolutions of the Sahara issue and the King's initiative to create a commission to follow up issues in these southern provinces.

In a statement to MAP after the meeting, Almunia said, "Morocco is moving forward, democratizing and modernizing its institutions," steps that he called "necessary conditions to face all potential economic hardships."

To a question on difficulties facing Moroccan exports to the European Union when crossing the Spanish territory, he argued that, "A balance has to be reached to conciliate competing interests of Moroccan exporters and those of Spanish industrialists." He added that Spain, which has friendly relations with Morocco, can play an important part in bringing Morocco and the EU closer to better defend the interests of Morocco and those of Spain.