Territorial integrity, stability are key to inter-maghreban ties promotion, Benaissa
Morocco-Maghreb, Politics, 1/19/2002

kingty, and territorial integrity, security and stability are basic conditions for the consolidation ties among Maghreban states, Moroccan foreign affairs and cooperation minister, Mohamed Benaissa, said.

Benaissa made the statement to a group of journalists at the end of the 19th session of the ministers' council of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) in Algiers.

The minister said Morocco does not condition the construction of UMA with the settlement of the Sahara issue. "this rather is a problem that exists," he said, adding "It (the problem) exists in everybody's mind and this is not a mere contention, as there are other contentions that are, perhaps, less serious than that of the Sahara and the borders between Morocco and Algeria."

Algeria's direct involvement in the issue of the Sahara, through its support to the Polisario separatists, has always been cited among the major stumbling blocks to the construction of a homogeneous Maghreban Union. According to Benaissa, "those are truths that we mention clearly hoping to settle these problems and make a new start for our Union within a spirit of dialogue, entente, negotiation and mainly trust that we should all share."

The minister recalled that Morocco has always been a land of dialogue and believes that pending issues can be settled only through negotiation and continuous dialogue.

Benaissa equally insisted that the Maghreban atmosphere should be sound and clear. All ministers having taken part in the Algiers meeting were unanimous to underline the need to show will and mutual trust to brave the problems and obstacles that have been behind the freeze of UMA's action and structures, he added.

Previous Stories:
  Morocco's attachment to the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) equals its deep attachment to its territorial integrity   (1/17/2002)
  Moroccan FM attends Maghreban ministerial council meeting in Algiers   (1/16/2002)
  Moroccan FM confirms his participation in UMA foreign ministers meeting   (1/9/2002)

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