Bamako - Several members of the Malian government commended Morocco's actions for their country and welcomed the visit started Tuesday by King Mohammed VI to Mali as the beginning of new era of cooperation between the two African countries.
The Sovereign second visit to Mali in few months is "a sign of the vitality of Morocco-Mali cooperation", planning minister Cheickna Seïdy Diawara told MAP, saying "we are very honored by the visit of King Mohammed VI".
"It is also a token of solidarity and friendship that the Malian people appreciate", he added, recalling that relations between the two countries date back to many centuries ago.
He also pointed out that "investment and cooperation opportunities in telecoms, health, agriculture, training, mining and many other fields are increasingly being tapped into".
Religious affairs minister, Thierno Oumar Hasse Diallo, also expressed the Malian people's pride to welcome the King, commander of the faithful who is highly esteemed, recalling the royal initiative to training Malian imams in Morocco.
Underscoring that the two countries share the same spiritual and religious values, the minister said his country is happy to send 500 imams to be trained in Morocco.
On his part, health minister, Ousmane Koné, considers that the Sovereign will give new impetus to fruitful cooperation between the two countries, mainly in the health sector, commending the Royal initiative to set up a field hospital in Bamako and the humanitarian actions conducted by the medical staff to alleviate the suffering of the population.
For territorial administration minister, Moussa Sinko Coulibaly, the visit will be an opportunity for deeper exchanges on religious matters and polls organization.
"We are very interest in Morocco's great experience in holding elections", he said.