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13:01 GMT
BRUSSELS, June 6 (KUNA) -- EU High Representative Catherine Ashton met here
Thursday Dr. Saad-eddine El-Othmani on his first official visit to Brussels as
Moroccan Foreign Minister.
"Morocco is a key partner in the EU neighbourhood, as recognised by its
Advanced Status. I welcome the positive steps taken in recent months to
intensify our existing cooperation still further," she said in a statement.
Ashton noted that the cooperation included agreement of an EU-Morocco
Action Plan 2013-2017 and the first round of negotiations for a Deep and
Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement.
Further, El-Othmani will sign a political declaration for a Mobility
Partnership tomorrow with EU Commissioner for home affairs Cecilia Malmstroem.
"I commend the Moroccan Government's commitment to an ambitious reform
programme. I am following with close interest planned reforms concerning
women's issues. I encourage the Moroccan Government to move swiftly towards
implementation of these and other key reforms to which it is committed, in the
fields of justice, the economy and the media," she added. (end)
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