Westerwelle highlighted, in a statement to the press after talks with Moroccan Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi, Morocco's determination to press ahead with the reform process.

    He also strongly denounced the despicable terrorist bomb attack on a cafe in Marrakech on April 28, adding that that such acts cannot hinder the reform process on which the Kingdom has embarked.

     El Fassi, for his part, expressed Morocco's willingness to further strengthen its cooperation with Germany, "a country with established know-how and technology."

     He stressed that Morocco will remain spared from what is happening in the region because "we are a country that launched reforms ever since independence."

    During these talks, El Fassi gave an overview of the latest developments in the Sahara issue, highlighting the international community’s support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative.

    On a three-day official visit to the Kingdom, Westerwelle was earlier in the day received by HM King Mohammed VI in Marrakech.