LOC18:58
15:58 GMT
PARIS, July 18 (KUNA) -- The Presidency of the G8 nations, currently held
by France, on Monday welcomed the July 1 referendum in Morocco and that
country's plans for constitutional reform.
A statement issued here said that the initiative "will herald a new era for
the Kingdom of Morocco" and noted the planned reform "contains significant
progress in the fields of government accountability, rule of law, protection
of human and social rights and the development of individual freedoms for men
and women."
The G8 statement also pointed out that the "important changes" in the
institutional system address the aspirations of the Moroccan people.
"G8 Members encourage the full and swift implementation of Morocco's reform
agenda, based on continued dialogue with a wide range of political voices, and
are determined to extend their concrete support to that end," the statement
added.
As a sign of solidarity with the reforms, the G8 expressed readiness to
associate Morocco with the "partnership" initiative that was extended to Egypt
and Tunisia at the G8 Summit held in France last May.
The partnership programme aims to assist Arab countries that have committed
to a transition to a free and democratic political process and to modernise
their economies. (end)
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