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25-10-07, 14:01
Morocco wants closer ties with EU
Afp, Marrakesh
King Mohammed VI said Tuesday that Morocco wants an "advanced status" with the European Union, calling upon France to help push its European partners to grant his north African country closer ties.
"The European Union's policy towards its neighbours has reinforced Morocco aspirations for an advanced status giving its relations with the Union the strategic dimension they deserve," Mohammed VI said at a state dinner in honour of visiting French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
The king said Morocco's desire for closer EU ties "has always been supported by the constant engagement of France within EU institutions and we are convinced the next French presidency of the European Union will provide an active contribution to that goal."
France takes over the six-month rotating EU presidency in July 2008.
In his toast Sarkozy told Mohammed VI he "can count on France for starting brief negotiations on advanced status" with the European Union.
Morocco repeatedly asks for "advanced status" as an EU partner and European Foreign Relations Commissioner Benita Fererro-Waldner said last year that Brussels was considering the request.
http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=8765
Afp, Marrakesh
King Mohammed VI said Tuesday that Morocco wants an "advanced status" with the European Union, calling upon France to help push its European partners to grant his north African country closer ties.
"The European Union's policy towards its neighbours has reinforced Morocco aspirations for an advanced status giving its relations with the Union the strategic dimension they deserve," Mohammed VI said at a state dinner in honour of visiting French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
The king said Morocco's desire for closer EU ties "has always been supported by the constant engagement of France within EU institutions and we are convinced the next French presidency of the European Union will provide an active contribution to that goal."
France takes over the six-month rotating EU presidency in July 2008.
In his toast Sarkozy told Mohammed VI he "can count on France for starting brief negotiations on advanced status" with the European Union.
Morocco repeatedly asks for "advanced status" as an EU partner and European Foreign Relations Commissioner Benita Fererro-Waldner said last year that Brussels was considering the request.
http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=8765