Rabat, April 17, 2012 (MAP)
Rabat, April 17, 2012 (MAP)
The boosting of Moroccan-Algerian relations is a “key milestone” in building the Maghreb Union, said Monday Moroccan Foreign Minister Saad Dine El Otmani, stressing that it is “inconceivable that the border between the two countries remain closed.”
“For Morocco, the promotion of relations with Algeria is a key milestone on the path of building the Maghreb Union and an important step for the establishment of a free trade Maghreb market,” said El Otmani, who was answering a question in the House of Representatives on the issue of the closed border between the two countries.
The minister also stressed the need to “transcend differences” which he described as “natural” between two neighboring countries.
El Otmani also highlighted the momentum of bilateral relations thanks to the approach adopted by Morocco, under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI, clear guidance of government and the exchange of visits between officials from both countries, as well as the signing of several cooperation agreements.
“Algerian officials we had met believe that closing borders is not a final and irrevocable decision,” he said, whereas the closure of the Moroccan-Algerian border is “a rare case” in the world.
