Jordan Times
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Jordan, Morocco agree to boost bilateral ties
MARRAKESH (Petra) - His Majesty King Abdullah on
Monday discussed with Morocco’s First Minister Abbas Fasi ways to boost
bilateral cooperation, especially in terms of increasing commercial exchange
volume and investments, in addition to activating previous agreements signed
between the two sides.
During a meeting with the Moroccan top official, King Abdullah stressed the
importance of the joint higher committee meeting which will convene in Amman
during the first quarter of this year in order to further boost cooperation
between the two countries.
King Abdullah also reiterated the importance of expertise exchange between the
two countries, especially with regard to implementing reform programmes in
economic, social and developmental areas.
In statements to the press, Fasi emphasised Morocco’s eagerness to increase its
cooperation with Jordan, saying that King Abdullah’s visit and the agreements
signed between the two sides are aimed at bolstering this cooperation.
The two countries are currently examining the possibility of opening two new
trade routes between them, air and sea, to facilitate the transport of people
and goods and increase the commercial exchange, he added.
During 2006, the commercial exchange volume between the two countries did not
exceed $24 million, a figure that His Majesty described as “humble”.
The question of increasing the exchange of goods between the two sides will be
on the agenda of the joint higher committee meeting, Fasi said. The two sides
will also sign several agreements during the meeting.
On the sidelines of the visit, Foreign Minister Salah Bashir discussed on Monday
with his Moroccan counterpart Taib Fassi Fahri ways to foster joint action in
all fields.
The two sides agreed to intensify consultations and coordination between them in
issues of common concern.
Jordan and Morocco on Sunday signed three agreements to boost cooperation
between the two countries in the areas of competitiveness, exports’ enhancement
and the building of joint megaprojects.
The agreements are meant to increase the trade exchange volume between the two
countries, in addition to increasing the exchange of expertise in the field of
investment and implementation of major development projects.
Although Jordan and Morocco are bound by 44 cooperation agreements, protocols
and executive programmes, trade exchange between the two countries for 2006 did
not exceed $24 million.
Also Monday, the King and Her Majesty Queen Rania, who arrived in Morocco Sunday
on a three-day visit, toured several historical sites in the city of Marrakesh
also known as the “Jewel of the South” or the “Red City”.