Moratinos: Le Maroc doit beneficier du Statut le plus avancé avec l'Europe

Source:
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/041014/2004101422.html

Moratinos: Morocco should benefit of the most advanced status possible with EU
Morocco-Spain, Politics, 10/14/2004

Visiting Spanish Foreign Minister, Miguel Angel Moratinos, said, in Tangier Wednesday, Morocco should benefit of the most advanced status possible in its relations with the European Union (EU).

"Morocco should be a country (É) that takes advantage of all, as if it were an EU member," Moratinos stated in an interview with MAP.

Spain, he said, has committed to making Morocco "benefit from all programs, projects, institutions and opportunities that the 25-counrty Union can offer in its relations with the kingdom," he said.

For Spain, it is a "crucial question, because the neighborhood policy, part of the Barcelona process, stipulates that "traditional neighbors be given priority," he said, noting that a particular attention should be given to the Maghreb, in general, and Morocco in particular.

On Morocco-Spain economic relations, he said Spanish economic operators are on the way to become the first foreign investors in Morocco in 2004.

"Spain is committed to supporting privileged economic partnership with Morocco (É) and we are convinced that the encouragement of Spanish private investment in Morocco will efficiently contribute to Morocco's development efforts."

On the other hand, Moratinos said his government counts on Morocco's support to open a "Bait Al Arab" center in Madrid, a space of dialogue between the Arab-Islamic and European civilizations.

This center will be dedicated to scientific and strategic research in the Arab-Islamic world and Europe, and will contribute to a better understanding of the Arab states.