(ANSAmed) – RABAT, MARCH 7 – The French Foreign Minister, Alain Juppé, has reiterated France’s support for a “complete and profound” free trade area between the European Union and Morocco, saying that the relationship must “represent an example and a model”. Morocco, he added, is currently “the only one of the EU’s Mediterranean partner countries to enjoy so-called advanced status”. Juppé’s comments, which were related by the Moroccan press agency MAP, come on the eve of his two-day visit to the kingdom, on March 8 and 9, during which he will hold talks with his Moroccan counterpart, Saâd Dine El Othmani, and the Prime Minister, Abdelilah Benkirane, and will be hosted by King Mohammed VI.
Juppé added that Europe is ready today to go even further”. “We hope that, with the exception of the institutions, the EU manages to share everything with Morocco,” he said. The recently signed farming deal, which was approved by a large majority at the European Parliament, would constitute “an important first step”, proving that “European partners want openness with Morocco”.
France is the kingdom’s leading commercial partner, as well as the leading foreign investor in the country. French businesses have a significant presence, while there is also a public and private financial aid system, as well as a support network for training and education. The list of issues of common interests to be examined during Juppé’s visit is therefore a long one. (ANSAmed).
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