Morocco, Belgium discuss fostering military cooperation

RABAT -- Morocco and Belgium on Monday discussed ways to foster cooperation between the two countries' armed forces, said a statement by the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR).

The discussion came during a meeting in Rabat between Mohammed Berrid, the inspector general of FAR, and Admiral Michel Hofman, Belgium's chief of defense, who is on an official visit to the North African country starting Feb 5.

The two countries' military cooperation is governed by a framework agreement for military and technical cooperation signed in 1992, covering military training, exchanges of experience and expertise, and exercises, said the statement.

Under the mechanism of a joint military commission, annual meetings are held alternately in Rabat and Brussels to review the various aspects of military cooperation between the two countries' armed forces and to set the program for the coming year.

According to the statement, Berrid and Hofman commended the military cooperation between the two countries, particularly in training and exercises, and expressed their willingness to promote it further to meet common challenges.