Moroccan FM optimistic about future of relations with Algiers
Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 6/1/2004

The Moroccan foreign affairs and cooperation minister has voiced optimism as to the future of relations between Morocco and Algeria which, according to Algerian diplomatic sources, have expressed strong will to normalize their ties.

Mohamed Benaissa who paid on Saturday a one-day visit to Algiers, told the media that his talks with Algerian counterpart Abdelaziz Belkhadem, "covered all issues of interest to the two sister countries, and more precisely bilateral relations."

Regarding a Moroccan-Algerian summit and the re-opening of land-borders, closed in 1994 after Morocco found evidence of Algerian nationals' involvement in an armed attack against a luxury hotel in Marrakesh, the Moroccan official stressed that "this will take place at the appropriate time."

"Today, we have tackled issues likely to help develop and lay bases for better ties between the two sister countries," he stressed, before announcing the upcoming meeting of the consular and economic affairs joint committee.

He also voiced optimism as to the future of relations between the two north African countries which are at loggerheads over Algeria's direct support to the "Polisario" separatist group which is claiming the separation of Moroccan southern provinces (Sahara) from the rest of Morocco. The former Spanish colony was retrieved by Morocco in 1975 under the Madrid Accords signed with Spain and Mauritania.

Morocco's chief diplomat who conveyed an oral message from King Mohammed VI to Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, stressed the need for the bilateral economic and consular task groups, set up a year earlier, to meet before June 20, to craft a series of proposals to be submitted to the two countries' authorities.

Benaissa's visit to Algiers was preceded by phone talks on Friday between King Mohammed VI and President Bouteflika on "bilateral relations and the situation in the region."

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