Morocco repeats reconciliation call on Algeria
Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 7/24/1998

Morocco on Thursday renewed its call to open borders with Algeria and suppress visa requirements in a bid to ensure reconciliation between the two neighbor countries.

"The visa requirements and the closure of borders had adverse consequences on the eastern parts of Morocco and the western areas of Algeria," Moroccan Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi said in an interview with the Moroccan television channel "2M."

Youssoufi has multiplied in the few past weeks calls to normalize Moroccan - Algerian relations, which soured in 1994 after Algerian-born French nationals perpetrated a terrorist attack against a luxury hotel in Marrakesh and which claimed the life of two Spanish tourists.

Morocco subsequently imposed a visa requirement for Algerians and Algeria retaliated by closing the land border with Morocco.

"It is unreasonable to harm the economic life of our respective countries, particularly that we are preparing an association with our northern friends within the frame of the Euro-Mediterranean space," Youssoufi said.

Morocco is already bound to the European Union by an association accord that provides for the creation of a free trade area by the year 2010.

Algeria responded recently to Morocco's call to resolve their conflict by mediation by saying that the communication lines are open between the two countries for direct talks.

Previous Stories:
  Algiers rejects mediation with Morocco   (7/21/1998)
  Morocco's premier urges Maghreban leaders to end tensions in North Africa   (7/18/1998)
  Algeria hints at a solution to better relations with Morocco   (6/30/1998)

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