RABAT - Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated on Wednesday that Turkey and Morocco can formulate solutions for peace in the region. ''Both countries share the same notion that the Organization of Islamic Countries should be made more actively involved in issues.''
Erdogan met his Moroccan counterpart Driss Jettou in Rabat. The meeting between the two prime ministers was attended by Turkish Minister of Industry and Trade Ali Coskun and Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister Sami Guclu.
Erdogan and Jettou held a joint press conference after their meeting.
Prime Minister Jettou indicated that Turkish-Moroccan ties have reached an ''excellent'' point in the last two years.
Jettou remarked that Turkish exports to Morocco increased significantly recently. ''Many Turkish firms work in the construction industry in Morocco.''
Jettou expressed that, once the Free Trade Agreement between Turkey and Morocco goes into effect, the trade volume between the two countries will get better. ''With the Free Trade Agreement, we will be able to export industrial goods to Turkey without having to pay customs duties. In the next 10 years, Turkish products will slowly begin to enter Morocco without being subject to customs taxes. We can procure Turkish goods, process and market them to the European Union,'' stressed Jettou.
Jettou commented that, with the establishment of flights between Casablanca and Turkey, tourism ties between the two countries will significantly get better. ''We share the same thoughts on the issues of the Middle East, Iraq, Lebanon and Syria.''
Meanwhile, Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan stated that his visit marks the first visit by a Turkish prime minister to Morocco. ''My visit to Morocco is a continuation of excellent ties with our Moroccan brothers that began with Mr. Jettou's visit to Turkey recently.''
Erdogan stressed that Turkey and Morocco can cooperate in politics, military related fields, cultural fields, tourism, science, art and commercial sectors. ''More than 50 Turkish businessmen have investments in Morocco.''
According to Erdogan, as two important countries in Europe and Mediterranean regions, Turkey and Morocco can have joint initiatives. ''We discussed the issues of Israel-Palestine, Syria-Lebanon and the post-election term in Iraq. We can contribute to the establishment of permanent peace process in the region. Morocco fully supports Turkey's bid to join the European Union.''
Turkey and Morocco signed agreements on health, veterinary topics, agriculture, and road construction before the press conference. Ministers Coskun and Guclu were the Turkish dignitaries who signed the agreements.