Kuwait, Morocco eye special ties

Kuwait and Morocco on Monday asserted their interest in having strong bilateral relations in all fields and uniting their stances in support of the Palestinian Authority bid to have independent state. "I have carried with me a letter from Moroccan King Mohammad VI to His Highness the Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah focusing on Morocco''s strong desire to strengthen and develop bilateral economic and trade relations," said Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs Taib Fassi Fihri in a joint press conference with Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah here, reported the Kuwaiti news agency KUNA. The press conference followed the signing here of a memo to bolster diplomatic relations between the two Arab nations. Under the memo, holders of diplomatic and special passports would be allowed to enter both countries without prior entry visas. The Moroccan minister added that talks with the Kuwaiti side have touched on a large array of issues of common concern, particularly the Arab-Israeli conflict. "Both countries have affirmed their support to the Palestinian Authority statehood bid in the United Nations," Fihri said. He hailed the freedom of the press and Parliament in Kuwait and Morocco. "We are confident both nations will forge ahead in the path of their democratic development to serve their people." With the regard to talks about his country''s accession to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Fihri said Morocco is an integral part of the Arab Maghreb but seeks a special advanced partnership with GCC states. "We are waiting for the outcome of the Technical Committee, which includes representatives of Morocco and General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the coming summit," he said. "We are looking forward to build the strongest possible relationship with GCC member States in all domains particularly security, politics and human development." "Morocco and GCC are yearning to build a model of cooperation for the interest of people in the Gulf region or the Arab Maghreb."