Maghreb states ministerial council warps up session's deliberations
Maghreb, Politics, 7/26/2004

The council of the foreign ministers of the Arab Maghreb federation called in conclusion of its meetings in Sert, Libya for continued intensification of coordination so as the federation will be the main reference concerning all issues and initiatives pertaining to the region's security and stability.

In a statement issued in conclusion of their 22nd ordinary session, the ministers considered that cooperation and integration in all fields with other regional and international entities is made through the federation's establishment in its being a standing geographical entity, based on historical, cultural and social characteristics.

Concerning Maghreb- Euro- Mediterranean relations and the dialogue within the confines of so-called "5 + 5" group, the council stressed the need of continued consultations and coordination of stances concerning all initiatives to enhance this dialogue.

In this framework, the council approved the convening of a consultation meeting, prior to the meeting of the foreign ministers for the "5 + 5" dialogue due to be held in Algeria. It also called for convening a preliminary meeting in Algiers before the convening of the third ministerial meeting on immigration in the west Mediterranean area due in Algiers on September 15 and 16.

On Saturday, Libya criticized a French proposal concerning the establishment of a partnership between four European states and three Maghreb states, considering that this proposal constitutes a blow to the march of Barcelona process and the Euro- Mediterranean cooperation.

Worthy mentioning that the Arab Maghreb federation which includes Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia and Mauritania was established on February 1989 in Marrakesh. Its activities have been frozen since years because of deep differences between Rabat and Algiers over the western Sahara conflict.

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