Moroccan - Algerian talks to resolve differences: We are brothers
Morocco's home minister, Ahmed El Midaoui, who met Thursday Algerian president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, said he conveyed to the Algerian head of state a verbal message dealing with brotherly relations from King Mohammed VI.
The Moroccan official, who is paying this Feb.22-23 a work visit to Algeria, said relations between the two states have always been throughout history based on solid foundations and seeking to overcome obstacles to fulfill aspirations of the two brotherly peoples.
He added that the Moroccan king and people have respect and esteem for the Algerian people and officials, insisting "despite divergences, we are your brothers and at your sides."
El Midaoui also surveyed with Algerian minister of the interior and local councils, Noureddine El Yazid Zerhouni, bilateral relations and various issues of common interest.
Upon arrival to the Algerian capital, the Moroccan interior minister stressed the similarity of views and objectives and commitment to fulfill these views as fairly and as rapidly as possible. "What is abnormal, is that we do not have normal relations and it is our duty to make all our possible so that normalization reflects prospects of common future," he said.
After he stressed the shared origin, blood, religion and language, El Midaoui explained "we have a duty to work towards concord and understanding, on the basis of equity, fraternity and frankness."
Previous meetings between the two home ministers took place in November in Morocco, last January in Algiers during the Arab interior ministers' council, and when El Midaoui visited Algiers in April. Another meeting was held in June in Lisbon, Portugal, where the two men attended a meeting of the West Mediterranean interior ministers'.
Algeria had closed land borders with Morocco, when Rabat had imposed entry visa for Algerian nationals in 1994 after evidence showed the involvement of two Algerian-born French nationals in the killing of two Spanish tourists in Marrakesh.