Moroccan minister ties normalization with Algeria's respect to consecration of Moroccan rights

Moroccan minister of the interior, Ahmed El Midaoui, said there can be no normalization with Algeria, unless this country is fair, just and respectful of all Morocco's historical rights.

The minister who was guest to the first TV channel program "Hiwar" said Morocco has expressed its position clearly, sincerely and in a transparent way: "We cannot carry on fruitless talks and all pending issues have to be addressed."

El Midaoui, who visited last week Algeria, said Moroccan and Algerian officials cannot neglect the interests of their peoples, nor requirements of an integrated development based on cooperation with neighbors. He went on that the two countries are carrying on regular and deep talks to reach solutions and overcome pending problems, describing the Sahara issue as a Moroccan-Algerian problem.

Both Morocco and Algeria have the will to reach, at the long term, solutions that heed interests of the two peoples and respect Morocco's historical and legitimate rights.

Of the Sahara settlement process, El Midaoui said Morocco rejects any third or fourth path, since its sovereignty is now actual over all the national territory and will remain so.

Morocco refuses any negotiation or settlement that would question this sovereignty but is open to dialogue to find an adequate solution to a conflict that lasted more than 25 years.

He added that Morocco had put forward basic elements for a consensual solution that would spare great problems to the region as part of its sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and is ready to debate local management of the territory. This does not contradict Morocco's deep choices and position of all its political forces requiring that all components of society be associated to the management of local, regional and public affairs.