HM the King's office said, in a statement, that the visit of Tunisian Prime Minister, his first outside Tunisia since he took office, reflects friendship ties and long-standing, solid relations between the two countries and peoples, and enhances the tradition of consultation and coordination between them.

    It is also intended to reinforce cooperation, solidarity-based relations forged by the two countries in all areas.

    Moreover, the visit is an opportunity to exchange views on Arab, regional and international issues of common intrest, the statement said.
     
    During this audience, Béji Caid Essebsi gave an overview of developments of the situation in his country, as well as the reform measures taken by the Tunisian government to enable all elements of the Tunisian people to get involved in the development, democracy process.

    HM the King expressed his appreciation and commended the fact that the various components of Tunisia’s productive forces unanimously adhere to dialogue and concord so that the brotherly Tunisian people can fulfil their aspirations for stability, progress and prosperity, and that Tunisia can continue to play its constructive, effective role within its Maghreb and regional environment.

    In this connection, the statement went on, HM the King reaffirmed Morocco’s full readiness to support these efforts aimed at ensuring success of the desired transition.

    Regarding the Arab Maghreb Union, the Sovereign reasserted the need to consolidate the foundations of the Union, it being a strategic, essential choice and a mechanism of cooperation and solidarity between the five states of the Union, in accordance with the spirit and letter of the Marrakech founding treaty, and in line with a forward-looking vision taking into consideration the real aspirations of the peoples of the region for co-development and democratic construction.

    In this regard, the Tunisian Prime Minister said that the Sahara conflict impedes Maghreb integration, and insisted that it is important to find a lasting political solution to this issue, in conformity with international legality.

    He also hailed the content of the royal speech of March 9th, 2011, as well as the innovative vision of HM the King, which falls within the scope of reform initiatives aimed at setting up a society project for an advanced, modern Morocco.

    Regarding ongoing events in some Arab countries, notably in Libya, Tunisia’s Prime Minister commended HM the King’s wise positions on this issue, saying that he shares the Sovereign’s deep concern over the escalation of violence and fighting in this brotherly country and their impact on the region’s stability and security.

     Caïd Essebsi expressed his country’s thanks to HM the King and his deep gratitude for the humanitarian aid that Morocco provided to Tunisia in order to help it cope with the massive flow of foreign communities fleeing Libya’s events.

     The audience was also an opportunity to express a common appreciation for the excellent Moroccan-Tunisian relations.

     It was also an occasion to voice common determination to broaden the prospects to promote bilateral relations, including ensuring the implementation of the Agadir Agreement which aims at creating a free trade Arab-Mediterranean area and removing barriers to a partnership that meets the requirements of economic globalization and regional groupings.

   The audience was attended by Morocco’s Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi and Tunisia’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Redhouane Nouicer.