Algeria's foreign minister in Morocco to solve problems
Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 2/7/2003

Algerian Foreign Minister, Abdelaziz Belkhadem, arrived this Thursday morning in Rabat for a two day-work visit.

The head of the Algerian diplomacy told reporters he will convey to king Mohammed VI a brotherhood and friendship message on bilateral relations from Algerian president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, adding that his visit is part of endeavors to raise bilateral relations to an excellent level, in accordance with orientations of H.M. King Mohammed VI and Algerian president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

The visit, he went on, will consolidate confidence ties between the two peoples and the two countries and lift obstacles caused by some pending issues. He also deplored that these obstacles were not overcome in the last decade.

Belkhadem also played down the importance of re-opening land borders between the two countries and said the decision to re-open them is an easy one.

Of a meeting between the heads of state of the two countries, he hoped that "such an encounter be held shortly because HM King Mohammed VI and president Bouteflika are carrying on contacts through phone calls and the exchange of messages."

Moroccan-Algerian talks will cover "all issues, including the Sahara issue, if it is brought by Moroccan brothers," he went.

Also, Moroccan Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Minister, Mohamed Benaissa, on Thursday held talks with visiting Algerian peer, Abdelaziz Belkhadem, in presence of the two states' delegations.

No details were disclosed on the content of the talks, held at the headquarters of the Moroccan Foreign Department in Rabat.

Belkhadem, who had arrived earlier in the day for a two-day visit to Morocco, had held a first meeting with Benaissa shortly upon arrival and met with Premier Driss Jettou and with Speaker of the Chamber of Advisors (upper house of parliament), Mustapha Okacha.

Meantime, Speaker of the Moroccan Chamber of Advisors (upper house of parliament), Mustapha Okacha, on Friday called on Morocco and Algeria to "be armed with courage" to overcome obstacles hampering the construction of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA).

Okacha, who was meeting with visiting Algerian Foreign Affairs Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem, said the latter's visit to Morocco is likely to contribute to warming relations between Morocco and Algeria, the chamber said in a release.

Relations between Morocco and Algeria are marred by Algiers' direct involvement in the Moroccan Sahara issue, the Algerians granting material and political support to the Polisario separatists who claim sovereignty over Morocco's southern provinces.

The Moroccan Speaker voiced hope that Belkhadem's visit to Morocco will mark a new start for the two countries to handle their bilateral problems in a constructive manner.

For his part, Belkhadem recalled the historical and human ties binding Morocco and Algeria. He voiced belief that "UMA provides a suitable space for the solution of all pending issues, including that of the Sahara."

Algeria's interference in the issue of Moroccan Sahara has braked all efforts to make of UMA a full-fledged regional grouping.

Okacha stressed, in this connection, that Morocco's attachment to its territorial unity is as strong as its attachment to the construction of UMA.

Democratic Morocco, with all its components, firmly believes in the construction of the Arab Maghreb Union in accordance with the principles of neighborliness, respect of sovereignty, stability and States' security, the Moroccan speaker said.

meantime, the Algerian official said he tackled with Jettou the need to foster economic complementarity between Morocco and Algeria and to shore up ties between the two countries' peoples.

Belkhadem said he noted with the Moroccan party "a keenness to boost the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) in order to better exploit the potentials of the Maghreban countries.

The Algerian official added he surveyed with the Moroccan Premier "all issues" that concern the two countries, including the opening of borders.

Meantime, no meeting has been confirmed between King Mohammed VI and President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, the spokesman for the Moroccan government said on Thursday.

"Such a meeting has not yet been confirmed," said Nabil Benabdallah, who is also Communication Minister, commenting on the ongoing visit to Morocco by Algerian Foreign Minister, Abdelaziz Belkhadem.

The official, who was speaking to the press at the end of the weekly government council meeting, said "Such a meeting will be announced once confirmed and when prospects become clearer."

Benabdallah added that the holding of a Maghreban summit depends on the improvement of relations between Morocco and Algeria. Morocco's position is clear in this regard, he said.

Previous Stories:
  Assabah: Sahara issue was fabricated by Algerian generals hostile to the union of the Maghreb   (1/29/2003)
  Balkhadem to visit Morocco, shortly   (1/29/2003)
  La Verite: Algerian fm to visit Morocco shortly   (1/25/2003)

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