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<title>CANADA SIGNS PARTNERSHIP DECLARATION WITH MOROCCO</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">October 9, 1996 No. 187</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">CANADA SIGNS PARTNERSHIP DECLARATION WITH MOROCCO</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Courier">Minister for International Trade Art Eggleton today announced the signing of a
Canada-Morocco Partnership Declaration designed to promote bilateral trade and
investment. The Declaration marked the end of a two-day meeting of the Canada-Morocco Bilateral Commission. It was signed for Canada by Mr. Eggleton and for
Morocco by Mr. Taib Fassi-Fihri, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Co-operation. Mr. Fassi-Fihri co-chaired the Ottawa-held Bilateral Commission
meeting.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"Canada's relations with Morocco are poised to enter a new phase of maturity and
growth," stated Mr. Eggleton. "The remarkable economic and political reforms
implemented by the Moroccan government have allowed the emergence of a growing and
dynamic private sector. The expansion of two-way trade and investment will
complement our strong ties in the areas of development co-operation and
education."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">This was the fifth meeting of the Commission, giving both countries' delegates an
opportunity to exchange views on a broad range of bilateral relations, as well as
to finalize the terms of the Canada-Morocco Partnership Declaration.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The Commission also saw progress in a number of areas intended to boost relations,
most notably: continued bilateral negotiations on a Foreign Investment Promotion
and Protection Agreement; negotiations on a revision of the long-standing
bilateral agreement on development co-operation, to provide greater emphasis on
Canadian International Development Agency support for the Moroccan private sector;
and confirmation of the terms of an agreement on social security.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">During his stay in Canada, Mr. Fassi-Fihri also met with Don Boudria, Minister for
International Co-operation and Minister Responsible for La Francophonie. The two
Ministers reviewed current and planned bilateral development co-operation
initiatives. They also discussed the forthcoming meeting of the Preparatory
Ministerial Conference for the Francophonie Summit. The Conference will be held
in Morocco in December. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Mr. Fassi-Fihri was also guest of honour at the "Forum des affaires canado-marocain" held in Montreal on October 7. He attended the Forum along with a
delegation of more than 20 Moroccan business representatives. This event was
designed to acquaint the Canadian business community with current economic and
commercial developments in Morocco, namely the opportunities created by the
privatization program and revisions to the country's investment regime. It also
promoted trade and investment partnerships between both business communities.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Mr. Fassi-Fihri's visit to Canada ends October 10.</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Courier">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Nicole Bourget</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Director of Communications</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Minister for International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 996-6271</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">or </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
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