"Morocco had actively participated in drafting the summit's final declaration which respects Latin American and African shared principles, and ensures that all conflicts be solved peacefully within the framework of the UN charter," El Yazghi told MAP.

      He recalled that Morocco is deeply committed to promote cooperation between Africa and Latin America, referring, in this regard, to the Trade Ministers' meeting held in Marrakech in June, 2008, and Morocco's co-chairmanship with Venezuela of the working group on trade, tourism and investments.

    El Yazghi said Morocco "plays a key role" in promoting African and Latin American cooperation, underlining the common willingness to fight organized crime and to open  new cooperation prospects in the fields of economy, trading, tourism and culture.

     Touching on the Sahara issue, EL Yazghi said Morocco made it clear that it will withdraw from the summit if ever the separatists were invited, adding that "twenty African states decided to withdraw along side with Morocco if the separatists were admitted to the summit."

    "Eventually, the so called SADR flag was taken off at the eve of the summit's opening," the Moroccan official said.

On the other hand, the Minister of State stressed that the partnership between Africa and South America is the only way to allow greater investment in both continents and expand bi-regional trade.

     El Yazghi stressed that the partnership between African and Latin American states is "the only means" to promote investments, calling on the public and private sectors to boost economic and trade exchange.

Source: MAP
News and events concerning Western Sahara issue/ Corcas

"Morocco has participated actively in drafting the final declaration of the summit which respected the principles on which African and South American countries are in agreement and which are intended to ensure that all conflicts are resolved by peaceful means and under the UN Charter, "he said.

The Minister of State said that since the Abuja Summit in 2006, Morocco has been deeply involved in the cooperation between Africa and South America, by sheltering in June 2008 in Marrakesh Ministerial Trade Meeting co-chairing with Venezuela the working group on trade, tourism and investment.