Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad and the Secretary of State for Cooperation of the Kingdom of Morocco, Mrs Aicha Belarbi, signed a Memorandum of Understanding between their respective foreign ministries in Cape Town today.
Following the deliberations of the first session of the Joint Bilateral Commission between the two countries, Deputy Minister Pahad and his Moroccan counterpart also initialled the following Agreements: Convention on the Avoidance of Double Taxation, Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation, Agreement on Merchant Shipping and Maritime matters as well as a Memorandum of Understanding on Phytosanitary matters.
Deputy Minister Pahad and his Moroccan counterpart also discussed the issue of the Western Sahara and supported the United Nations sponsored plan for the disputed territory. Furthermore, they expressed concern about Prime Minister Netanyahu's continued refusal to accept the latest United States proposal aimed at reviving the Middle East Peace Process. His continued intransigence, they warned, would inevitably lead to increased tension in the region and beyond.
This visit by Secretary of State Balarbi should be seen in the context of the Department of Foreign Affairs' commitment to contributing to South Africa's improved socio-economic development by translating its favourable political relationship with countries like Morocco into improved economic relations. This follows the recent visit to the Maghreb by Deputy Minister Pahad, which included visits to Algeria, Tunisia and Libya.
During her visit to South Africa, Mrs Belarbi also met with the Speaker of National Assembly, Dr Frene Ginwala, the Minister of Welfare and Population Development, Mrs Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, the Deputy Minister of Education, Father S Mkhatshwa, the Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Portfolio Committee, Mr Ibrahim Ebrahim and the director-General of Trade, Industry and Tourism of the Western Cape Government, Dr Wesso.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS CAPE TOWN 12 May 1998