Brussels, 14/06/2001 (Agence Europe) - European Commissioner Chris Patten will be in Morocco and Tunisia on Monday and Tuesday. This visit has been given a low profile in Brussels, preceding as it does by ten days that of Pascal Lamy (Trade), and Antonio Vitorino (Justice and Home Affairs) to Rabat. "There is nothing spectacular about it but is necessary to maintain the close relations we have with these two countries which are the pillars of the Barcelona Process and the pioneers of the Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreements" sources close to the Commission point out.
In Morocco, Patten will meet King Mohammed VI, Prime Minister Youssoufi, as well as ministers Benais (foreign affairs) and Oualalou (finance) with whom he is to discuss "subjects of common interest" including the Association Agreement, progress in the Barcelona Process and implementation of the MEDA programme, a press release published Wednesday evening stipulates. Mr. Patten intends informing Rabat of the Commission's intention of examining the problem of immigration "in a balanced manner", considering the interests of both the Union and Morocco. From a European point of view, he will also state that bilateral relations are strong enough to accommodate the "sectoral disagreement" over fishing.
The next day, the Commissioner will move on to Tunisia where his interlocutors will be President Zine El Abidine Vben Ali, the head of diplomacy Ben Yahia and the Minister for International Development and Investment, Fathi Merdassi, whom he will urge to continue in the reforms. While placing emphasis on this country's key role in the Euro-Mediterranean partnership, the excellence of relations with the Union and the example it was providing the region regarding economic reforms, Mr. Patten should also remind Tunis of progress still expected of it on the ground on human rights and political liberalization.