A delegation of Tunisian ministers led by Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa wrapped up a two-day visit to Morocco on Thursday (February 13th).
The two parties considered ways of boosting bilateral co-operation on the political, social and economic fronts.
Ties between the two countries have become closer since the Tunisian revolution. Several visits have been made by official delegations between the two sides.
The next joint meeting, which will soon take place in Tunis, will provide an opportunity to expand on the views that have already been expressed.
"I talked to the Moroccan prime minister, Abdelilah Benkirane, about ways of developing our partnership to fulfil the potential that both countries have in all sectors, especially the economic domain," Jomaa told reporters.
"I informed him of the current situation in Tunisia, of the big change that has occurred in the country and the political outcome after the adoption of the new constitution, which I hope will culminate in transparent and balanced elections involving all parties being held at the end of 2014," the Tunisian premier added.
Tunisian Foreign Minister Mongi Hamdi was similarly optimistic. He stressed repeatedly that Morocco had "always been a strategic partner for Tunisia, which wants to draw on Morocco's experience in all domains".
According to Moroccan Foreign Minister Salaheddine Mezouar, Tunisia expressed a desire to benefit from the kingdom's experience, especially in terms of reconciliation. He added that both parties wanted to breathe new life into the plan for a Maghreb Union.
Officials from both countries reiterated the need to unify Maghreb nations and achieve the integration that is so desired by citizens and economic partners across the region.
Closer co-operation between all countries of the Maghreb will not only bring economic benefits but also make it possible to explore all ways of safeguarding security across the region, economist Mehdi Cherrat said.
"The Maghreb faces the same social, economic and security challenges. The people of the Maghreb have the same destiny and must listen to each other and implement concrete joint strategies," he told Magharebia.
Boujemaa Fadil, another economist, agreed that strengthening bilateral co-operation between Maghreb nations was to be welcomed, but it should be part of a unified vision for the region.
"A roadmap for the Maghreb needs to be drawn, with the strengths and weaknesses of each country identified," he said.
"The idea is to rely on the economic synergy between the Maghreb nations, for them to help each other overcome the obstacles to development and growth, to share expertise and to negotiate advantageous contracts as an economic hub with international partners," he said.
He expressed his hope that this desire, which citizens, experts and some officials have voiced for years, could soon become a reality.
© Magharebia.com 2014
