site.bta Vice President Popova: Bulgaria, Morocco Can Expand Cooperation in Social, Economic Sphere, Migration Issues, Culture

Vice President Popova: Bulgaria, Morocco Can Expand Cooperation in Social, Economic Sphere,
Migration Issues, Culture


Rabat, December 18 (BTA) - Bulgaria and Morocco have developed
excellent bilateral relations over more than half a century and
these are a stable base for future cooperation in a number of
spheres, Bulgarian Vice President Margarita Popova said in Rabat
on Wednesday, meeting with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of
Morocco, Abdelilah Benkirane, the Presidential Press
Secretariat said. Popova is paying an official visit to Morocco
as of December 17.

Morocco's advanced status in its relations with the EU is proof
of the country's strategic role in the region and a condition
for the promotion of its cooperation with the Member States,
Bulgaria included, Popova said.

The Bulgarian Vice President spoke of the potential for
development of bilateral relations, particularly those in the
social and economic sphere, culture, education and migration
policy. She also underscored the need of speeding up the process
of coordination of the Social Security Agreement between the
two countries' ministries of social affairs, adding that it will
be discussed in January 2015 at expert level and will be signed
subsequently.

Popova also dwelt on the opportunities for exchange of
experience in the field of healthcare. Science, education and
culture were outlined as other spheres with a potential for
development.

The Bulgarian Vice President hailed the reforms initiated by
King Mohammed VI in 2011 with the adoption of a new Constitution
based on democratic principles. "Your country is a model of
democratization and modernization in the region," Popova said.

"We welcome the expansion of relations with every friendly
country, and Bulgaria is one of those," the Head of the Moroccan
Government, Abdelilah Benkirane, said in turn. In spite of the
difficulties, the country is implementing a stable and
predictable policy, he added.

On the first day of her visit to Morocco, Popova conferred with
the President of the House of Representatives of the Moroccan
Parliament, Rachid Talbi Alami, and the President of the House
of Councillors, Mohamed Cheikh Biadillah. She expressed her
appreciation of the kingdom's efforts to increase the role and
participation of women in governance.

In Rabat, where she was welcomed with an official ceremony,
Popova laid a wreath at the Mausoleum of Mohammed V of Morocco
and paid her respects to the memory of his son, Hassan II.