Construction of Arab Maghreb Union matter of survival, moroccan speaker says
Morocco-Maghreb, Politics, 3/14/2003

Speaker of the Moroccan House of Representatives (Lower Chamber), Abdelouahed Radi said in Mauritania on Wednesday that the construction of the Maghreb Arab Union (UMA) "is a matter of survival," given an international juncture that is suitable only for strong regional economic groupings.

In a speech at the opening session of the proceeding of the UMA consultative council's 5th session (Mar.12-13), Radi argued that the success of the Maghreban project depends on collective action to best serve the interests of the peoples of the region.

The achievement of this project is not only a choice dictated by subjective considerations but also a pre-requisite, given the economic and social challenges that the states of the region need to meet, he said.

Recalling the outcome of the previous session, the Moroccan official stressed that it remains well bellow the expectations of the Maghreban states, attributing this deficient situation to structural, legal and political factors.

He further expressed satisfaction at the resumption of UMA's Consultative Council's activities that will open up new opportunities and increase awareness as to the necessity of the Maghreban project.

The Moroccan Speaker also called for reforming the Union's Consultative Council (the UMA legislative branch) in order to set up efficient cooperation channels amongst UMA member states.

Previous Stories:
  King Mohammed vows to protect territorial integrity   (8/1/2002)
  Morocco's premier calls for materializing Maghreb unity   (6/14/2002)
  Outgoing secretary general of Maghreb union awarded Moroccan distinction   (2/28/2002)

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