Madagascar deems 'very important' Morocco's completion of its territorial integrity
Visiting President of Madagascar, Marc Ravalomanana has deemed it "very important" for Morocco to have a united territory and to complete its territorial integrity.
Ravalomanana whose country has recently "frozen" recognition of the so-called Sahrawi republic, "SADR," proclaimed by the separatist movement "Polisario" in Tindouf (southwestern Algeria), told MAP he "encourages the aspiration of our Moroccan brothers to such unity."
Backed by neighboring Algeria, the "Polisario front" has been since 1976 laying claims on Morocco's Southern provinces, known as the Sahara. The former Spanish colony was retrieved by the North African country in 1975 under the Madrid Accords, signed with Mauritania and Spain.
Ravalomanana had announced his country's decision to "freeze" recognition of the puppet republic during his visit to Morocco early April 2005.
"We will continue to work together to ensure the future of relations between our two countries," he said, confirming the commitment of Madagascar to promote the sharing of experiences with Morocco, especially in the fields of food industry and agriculture.
The Malagasy head of State is visiting Washington on the occasion of the conclusion, Monday, of the Millennium Challenge Corporation's Compact, under which Madagascar will receive a four-year USD 110m aid to finance poverty reduction project.
Madagascar is the first recipient of this initiative, which aims reducing poverty through promoting sustainable development in certain countries especially in Africa.
