Madagascar deems 'very important' Morocco's completion of its territorial integrity
Morocco-Madagascar, Politics, 4/21/2005

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.

Previous Stories:
  Government, parliament greet Madagascar's decision to freeze recognition of so-called Sahrawi Republic   (4/8/2005)
  Morocco willing to help in Madagascar development, PM   (4/7/2005)
  Madagascar freezes recognition of so-called Sahrawi Republic   (4/7/2005)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search