News
Monday 23 April 2018

Morocco, France to Step up Cooperation in Agriculture

Vocal synthesis
Morocco, France to Step up Cooperation in Agriculture

Morocco and France signed on Sunday in Ifrane two partnership agreements to develop bilateral cooperation in agriculture.

The first agreement, which is expected to expand cooperation between the two countries in the sectors of agriculture, agri-food and rural development, was signed by Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and forests, Aziz Akhannouch, and French Minister of Agriculture and Food, Stéphane Travert.

The agreement is aimed at strengthening cooperation in the areas of public policies, research and training, irrigation and land development.

The second agreement is about an action plan relating to the implementation of the partnership agreement signed Sunday in Ifrane with several Moroccan and French partners.

The agreement, which covers the period of 2018-2019, sets up a framework for dialogue on Morocco-France relations within the European market and in view of a better integration of Morocco into the mechanisms governing the European fruit and vegetable market.

The French minister is visiting Morocco to participate in the International Agriculture Fair (SIAM 2018), scheduled on April 24-29 in Meknes.

SIAM is "the biggest African event of its kind," Travert told reporters following talks with his Moroccan peer.

The French Minister said that the fair is an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between Morocco and France and to highlight the expertise of the Kingdom in the field of agriculture.

France is "a strategic partner that has important trade relations with Morocco particularly in the sector of agriculture," Akhannouch told the press, adding that the two countries share their experiences, particularly in the areas of training and research.

MAP 23 April 2018