Roundup: Morocco, Qatar sign 11 deals to boost bilateral cooperation

RABAT, March 12 (Xinhua) -- Morocco and Qatar on Monday signed 11 new deals to boost cooperation in the Moroccan capital Rabat.

The agreements were inked during the 7th session of the Moroccan-Qatari high joint cooperation commission, which was held under the chairmanship of the Moroccan Prime Minister Saad Eddine El Othmani and his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani.

The deals include a cooperation agreement, a protocol of understanding, five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and four action programs covering a number of areas.

The cooperation agreement aims to cement cooperation in the handicraft sector, while the protocol of understanding eyes closer cooperation between the Moroccan and Qatari Central Banks in the control and supervision of financial institutions.

The two countries also signed MoUs in the areas of agriculture, housing, and training and qualification of executives in the field of aviation and airports between the Mohammed VI International Academy of Civil Aviation and the Qatar Aeronautical College.

Two notable MoUs were signed between the two countries on the establishment of a joint ministerial trade commission and the exchange of data regarding money laundering and terrorism financing.

Speaking during the meeting, the Moroccan prime minister hailed the historical ties between Morocco and Qatar, noting that the joint commission was also an opportunity to hold intensive consultations on ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in all areas and to discuss a number of issues of common interest.

As for the Qatari side, it hailed the leadership role of King Mohammed VI in consolidating the pillars of sustainable development in Africa, and in supporting the foundations of peace, security and stability on the continent so as to meet the aspirations of its population for greater progress and prosperity. Enditem