Moroccan premier deplores poor economic relations and low human contacts between Morocco and Algeria
Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 2/21/2000

Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi deplored in an interview published Sunday by Algerian daily "Le Matin" poor economic relations between Morocco and Algeria, affecting human and social aspects.

Youssoufi argued for a new atmosphere and the return to the state of relations before the borders were closed and the enforcement of a visa requirement. He stated that Morocco took the decision to require a visa from Algerians following the terrorist attack against a hotel in Marrakesh, which killed three Spanish tourists and after evidence showed the involvement of a group of Algerian-born French nationals. Eventually, he went on, there was an escalation of decisions.

There are quasi-normal relations between the two countries, he said asserting, however, the existence of divergences that does not justify the present rupture.

After he stated that the 1963 armed conflict between the two countries was a disaster in the two countries' shared history, he added that nothing should prevent the two countries from opening their borders, especially as following the election of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika there were positive signs that were soon frustrated by his "surprising" accusations against Morocco.

The prime minister also hoped that the two neighboring countries would improve their relations and said he is convinced that a meeting between King Mohammed VI and the Algerian president would make the two peoples very happy.

He said that as a result of this long-standing crisis, generations of Moroccans and Algerians do not know each other while treaties Morocco signed with Tunisia, Libya and Egypt are compromised because of the Moroccan-Algerian crisis.

Regarding relations with the European Union, he said the frozen Maghreb Arab Union (UMA/comprising Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia) is an obstacle to unified negotiations with the EU. He also regretted the serious incidence and damages caused to both countries.

I am very happy each time I meet an Algerian leader, he said, recalling that his latest visit to Algeria dates back to the funeral of Algerian president, Mohamed Boudiaf, who was assassinated in June 1992.

Previous Stories:
  Moroccan premier wishes political detente in Moroccan-Algerian relations   (2/7/2000)
  Moroccan premier congratulates newly-appointed Algerian peer   (12/28/1999)
  Youssoufi sees Morocco-Algerian relations in delicate period   (11/12/1999)

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