Ottawa, June 5, 2012 (MAP)
Ottawa, June 5, 2012 (MAP)
The year 2012 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Canada and Morocco and “we seize this occasion to celebrate the broad, dynamic and fruitful ties uniting our two countries,” Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird said on Monday following a meeting with Moroccan peer Saad Dine El Otmani.
In a statement, Baird said that he discussed with El Otmani bilateral relations and the recent development of the situation in the MENA region, adding that Canada and Morocco are determined to find a peaceful solution to the crisis in Syria and ensure stability and democracy in the whole region.
“Morocco is actively contributing to managing the instable situation in Mali. Our countries are still searching for solutions to Mali’s serious problems, mainly terrorism in north of the country,” he noted.
Economically, he underlined the signing, recently, of a Moroccan-Canadian protocol of understanding which “paves the path towards a larger agriculture cooperation.”
The agreement, which was signed on the sidelines of the 7th Morocco’s agriculture fair (SIAM), is a prelude to the conclusion of a free trade agreement between the two parties, he said.