Tunisia, Morocco sign new co-operation agreements

26/02/2008

The prime ministers of Morocco and Tunisia met in Tunis last week to address bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest, including the development of the Arab Maghreb Union. The High Joint Committee session resulted in several new accords in the economic, social and cultural fields.

By Naoufel Cherkaoui in Rabat and Mona Yahia in Tunis for Magharebia - 26/02/08

[Getty Images] Tunisian Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi (right) met his Moroccan counterpart, Abbas El Fassi, at the government palace in Tunis on Friday (February 22nd). The discussions focused on bilateral co-operation and the Arab Maghreb Union.

The 14th round of the High Joint Moroccan-Tunisian Committee concluded Saturday (February 23rd) in Tunis with the signing of eight new co-operation agreements.

Tunisia and Morocco finalised co-operation protocols regarding vocational and sports training, religious affairs, driving licenses, state news agencies and women’s and family issues. The two sides also agreed to facilitate the operation of a direct sea line between Tunisia and Morocco.

At the close of two-day round, Moroccan Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi noted that an atmosphere of trust and understanding had prevailed. "The regular meetings of [the] committee [indicate] the continued determination of the two countries to enhance and promote bilateral relations in embodiment of the aspirations of the two countries' leaders … for the inevitability of establishing the Arab Maghreb Union in spite of the obstacles impeding its path."

Tunisian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi also expressed "his relief over the results of the round". Ghannouchi said the agreements "give a strong boost to the relations of co-operation between the two countries in different economic, cultural, sports, media and scientific research fields."

Economic co-operation was also addressed during the High Joint Committee meeting. Officials from both sides stressed the need to launch of the Maghreb Investment Bank as soon as possible and to complete its financial structure so that it may contribute to the financing of joint Maghreb projects.

Hedi Jilani, President of the Tunisian Union of Industry, Commerce and Handicraft (UTICA), said that the private sector in both countries was playing a pivotal role in boosting economic co-operation by presenting proposals and solutions that would create sustainable and effective partnerships.

Officials also discussed ways to activate the organs of the Arab Maghreb Union, which the two sides consider as a "strategic option".

In his speech during the opening session, Ghannouchi said the establishment of the Arab Maghreb Union must be accelerated and the performance of its institutions enhanced in such a manner as to ensure the prosperity of the region's peoples.

The Union, which comprises Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Libya and Mauritania, was founded in 1989 to serve as a strong economic bloc capable of enabling the region's countries to face the challenges of globalisation.

However, the progress of the Union is facing obstacles. No summit of the heads of member states has been held since 1994 due to unresolved issues, particularly between Algeria and Morocco.