Sunday, April 26, 2009

Morocco's autonomy proposal, 'very advanced' initiative for resolving Sahara issue, US Gov.

Morocco's proposal to grant autonomy to its southern provinces, The Sahara, is a "very advanced initiative" for resolving the Sahara issue, Governor of Virginia State, Executive Chairman of the US Democratic Party, Timothy M. Kaine, said.

In a statement to MAP upon his departure Saturday after a three-day official visit to Morocco, Kaine stressed that the initiative proposed by the Morocco is a "good basis for negotiations" on this issue. Kaine said he was "satisfied" with his talks with government, economic and human rights officials in Morocco. "We have learned so much about the reforms and the interesting development" witnessed by the north African kingdom, he added.

Referring to bilateral economic relations, the US official said the Free Trade Agreement between the two countries has increased the level of exchanges between the State of Virginia and Morocco, particularly in the agricultural sector.

Many opportunities remain to be explored in the field of new technologies, he said, adding that his visit to Morocco will also promote the development of relations between the ports of Casablanca and Virginia.

During his visit, Kaine had held talks with Prime Minister, Abbas El Fassi, Foreign Minister, Taieb Fassi Fihri, Interior Minister, Chakib Benmoussa, Minister of the Industry, Trade and New Technologies, Ahmed Reda Chami, Minister in charge of General and Economic Affairs, Nizar Baraka, and chairman of the Advisory Council on Human Rights (CCDH), Ahmed Herzenni. From Maghreb Arab Presse

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