Jordan, Morocco agree further cooperation

AMMAN — Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour and his Moroccan counterpart Abdelilah Benkirane on Friday chaired the fifth session of the joint Jordanian-Moroccan Higher Committee, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The two officials stressed their countries’ unique bilateral relations and the continuous coordination between His Majesty King Abdullah and Moroccan King Mohammed VI, noting that economic and commercial relations are still below aspirations. 

Ensour and Benkirane highlighted the role of their governments in removing hindrances facing the private sector to boost commercial exchange, which is currently around $45 million.

Moreover, they stressed the importance of maintaining communication between officials in both countries, as well as holding meetings for the joint higher committee regularly, especially since the fourth session’s meetings were held in Amman back in 2008. 

The premiers discussed establishing a maritime link and a direct flight between Casablanca and Amman, in addition to facilitating the issuance of visas.

For his part, Ensour said the volume of trade exchange is by no means reflective of the relations between the two countries, conveying the greetings of King Abdullah to King Mohammad VI. 

The premier also stressed the importance of the Agadir agreement between Jordan, Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia, noting that trade facilitations and incentives must be offered among the four countries. 

He stressed that Amman and Rabat share the same views on Arab and Islamic issues, noting that their cooperation allows them to play an active role in resolving issues such as the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, combating terrorism and promoting interfaith tolerance.

At the end of the meetings, 15 agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed between official institutions in both countries for cooperation in economy, commerce, industry, tourism, culture and media. 

Ensour and Benkirane also signed the minutes of the higher committee’s meetings. 

Also on Friday, Ensour met with Hakim Benchammach, president of the Moroccan House of Councillors, who praised the Jordanian efforts in dealing with several waves of refugees over the years. 

The premier highlighted the similarities between the Jordanian and Moroccan parliamentary experiences and reviewed the burdens Jordan shoulders as a result of regional crises.