Monday 4 March 2013

Morocco and Bulgaria: bilateral relations


Diplomatic relations between Morocco and Bulgaria dates from September 1, 1961, in Sofia after the accreditation of the first Ambassador of HM the King, with residence in Moscow. Embassy of Bulgaria in Rabat opened in 1962 On 10 April 1986 he was appointed the first Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco with residence in Sofia.



   Ambassadors that have undergone Embassy in Sofia

   - Malente Mohammed (Managing Embassy): 1982 -1986 on;

   - Abdeshamid Benna: 10.04.1986 - 1992;

   - Benaser Keytoni: 1992 - 1997;

   - Alem Abdeslam: November 1997 - on 08/02/2001

   - Abdeslam Rharbaoui: 7.11.2001 - 17.12.2005

   - El Gail Dlimi: February 2006

   UPDATED LEGAL FRAMEWORK

   Bilateral relations are governed by a legal framework that covers various areas such as politics, economics, culture, justice, youth and sports, agriculture, handicrafts, health and information. It includes the following agreements:

   - Trade Agreement, signed in Sofia on 22.05.1996, which came into force on 21.01.2000;

   - Agreement on the protection and promotion of investments, signed on 22.05.1996;

   - Agreement for avoidance of double taxation, signed on 22.05.1996;

   - Cooperation agreements between the Casablanca Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services (CCISC), Federation of Chambers of Commerce of Morocco on trade, industry and services (FCCISM) and the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce, signed on 18. 04. In 1979 and 22. 05. In 1996;

   - Cooperation Agreement between the Moroccan Centre for Export Promotion (CMPE) and his Bulgarian equivalent - Bulgarian Center for Export Promotion, signed on 25. 11. In 1998

   Agreements signed in April 2006, during the eighth session of the Intergovernmental Committee, held in Sofia:

   - Agreement between the National Centre for Agrarian Sciences (NCAS) of Bulgaria and the National Institute for Agronomic Research (INRA) of Morocco;

   - Agreement twinning partnership between the Medical Center "Ibn Sina" in Rabat and Alexander's Hospital in Sofia;

   - Agreement twinning partnership between the Medical Center "Ibn Roshd" in Casablanca University Hospital "St. Marina" in Varna;

   - Cooperation Agreement between the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Industry, Commerce and Services of Casablanca;

   - Cooperation Agreement between the Bulgarian Industrial Association and the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises.

   Agreements signed during the visit of Prime Minister SIMEON SAKSKOBURGGOTSKI in Morocco in March 2005

   During the visit of Prime Minister Simeon Sakskoburggotski in Morocco in March 2005 were signed six agreements for cooperation in the field of foreign affairs (visa waiver nationals holding diplomatic and service passports), Justice, Youth and Sports. These agreements complemented the already long list of areas to which our bilateral cooperation.

   Draft agreements being finalized, signed at Sofia in 2006

   - Draft in the merchant marine;

   - Draft Additional Protocol to the Moroccan-Bulgarian agreement on encouragement and mutual protection of investments;

   - Draft Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons.

   Revisiting industries suffered some movement RECENT

   Health - this sector has achieved the most dynamic compared to other industries. In addition to the Joint Committee on Health, which now (2008) has conducted three workshops under the Cooperation Agreement, many Moroccan and Bulgarian delegations, representatives of the various programs in this field are deployed as one, and the other.

   Agriculture - the creation of the Joint Monitoring Committee in this sector has been some movement by conducting several workshops. This initiative allows researchers from both countries to work together on projects in the fields of agronomy, namely that of the selection of resistant nuts, developed in cooperation with the National Center for Agricultural Sciences (NCAS) of Bulgaria and the National Institute for Agronomic Research (INRA ) of Morocco.

   Economy and trade - thrown from the recommendations of the Joint Commission and given the willingness of both sides to work to optimize insufficiently developed cooperation at this level, both sides were urged to resume its targeted actions in this regard.

   Education - programs were developed to implement the Protocol on Cultural Agreement. The last program was signed in January 2008 in Rabat and addresses the following three years (2008-2010).

   Youth and sport - in this area were concluded two agreements. Three visits were conducted by one on either side.

   Vocational training - at the time (2008) work in this area has weakened due to cease recruitment of Bulgarian teachers in Moroccan professional schools in the last two years.

   Remove entry visas - it is important to note that in March 2005 the two countries signed a visa waiver for citizens holding diplomatic and service passports. In addition, during the same month were removed and visas to enter Morocco for Bulgarian citizens, a decision that was very well received by the Bulgarian government.

   UPDATE bilateral legal framework

   It is worth noting that despite the very full and varied framework agreements need to be updated, to reflect progress of each party in the political, economic, social, cultural, etc. This applies in particular to agreements on economy, trade and industry.

   The fact that from 1 January 2007 Bulgaria became a full member of the European Union, should be taken into account when negotiating since the beginning of negotiations with the European Union, Bulgaria consideration economic and commercial policy of the Union.

   NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR BULGARIA

   Speaking of branches that Moroccan party could include in the negotiation process, which would be interested in the Bulgarian side, we have to mention the sector of new information and communication technologies, which develops permanently in Morocco, electrical and mechanics, agri-food, fisheries, manufacturing of finished products in the shoe industry and leather goods. Long Bulgaria imported phosphate from Morocco, so it is desirable to include in the negotiations and this product and its derivatives (phosphoric acid).

   POSITION OF BULGARIA IN THE MOROCCAN NATIONAL CAUSE

   Bulgaria's position in relation to the national cause of Morocco has always been consistent and clear - namely, to promote the search for consensus, just, lasting and acceptable solution for all parties to the conflict. It should be noted that throughout the period during which Bulgaria has met the Security Council (2002-2003) as a non-permanent member, its position in the discussion of this question was responsible and constructive support for the Moroccan position.

   New momentum in bilateral cooperation in 2008

   It must be emphasized that during the visit to Morocco by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria Mr. Chaushev in January 2008 was signed a new cooperation program in the field of education, science and culture from 2008 , 2009 and 2010

   The program covers several areas of cooperation of mutual interest, in particular:

   - Education and Science;

   - Training of personnel;

   - Arts and culture, in particular the protection of cultural heritage, exchange of experts, organization of exhibitions, musical training, exchanges of ensembles, ballets and theater companies.

   - Cooperation between national libraries (prepare draft is in the process of finalizing);

   - Cooperation between the Union of Journalists (few months ago resumed work on another draft);

   - Cooperation in the field of cinema: from 21 to 29 February in Sofia in Bulgaria held the first week of Moroccan cinema, organized with the support of the Bulgarian National Film Archive, during which seven were screened Moroccan film.

   - Communications - in this area has concluded a cooperation agreement between the RTA and the Moroccan News Agency (MAP) information exchange;

   - Youth and sports in this area in 2007 was organized youth exchange within signed in 2005 a cooperation agreement in the field.