ENPI INFO CENTRE
Visiting EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton has congratulated Morocco on its reforms, saying the EU attached great importance to its relations with the Kingdom.
Speaking in Rabat yesterday at a press conference with Moroccan Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Saad Eddine El Othmani, High Representative Ashton said: “I come to say how important the relationship is between the European Union and Morocco. I come to congratulate you on the reforms that you have made. I am here because we attach great importance to our relations with you.”
Ashton, who is on her first visit to Morocco, stressed the importance that the EU attached to the relationship: “It is not easy to achieve the depth of the relationship that Morocco has achieved with the European Union. Those who have been involved in negotiations with us on the advanced status will tell you that. But I believe that gives us a real opportunity to strengthen our economic and political ties. And that would be beneficial to the people of Morocco and to the people of the European Union.”
The EU High Representative said she had also come to discuss with the foreign minister issues of concern in the region, saying they had talked at length about the ongoing crisis in Syria, as well as the situation in the Sahel.
Today, Ashton travels to Algiers, where she will sign three EU-Algeria financing agreements – on the protection of cultural heritage, support for reforms in the transport sector and support to youth employment. (EU Neighbourhood Info)
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Ashton remarks
EU Neighbourhood Info Centre – Catherine Ashton travels to Morocco and Algeria to underline EU support for reform (05-11-12)
EU Neighbourhood Info Centre webpage – Morocco
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