Morocco's FM hopes Moroccan-Algerian differences will be settled

Morocco's minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, hoped that the present divergences between Morocco and Algeria will be settled, mainly those related to the Sahara and the borders.

In an interview with Egyptian "Al Ahram hebdo" weekly, the Moroccan official explained that it is impossible to reach economic and trade union between two countries whose borders are closed. He added that Libya, Tunisia and Mauritania which are members with Morocco and Algeria of the Arab Maghreb Union are endeavoring to lower obstacles hindering the union construction and settle divergences, mainly the Sahara issue.

To a question on Morocco's adhesion to the Sahel and Sahara union, the head of the Moroccan diplomacy answered that Morocco means to re-establish and guarantee cooperation between peoples of Africa, of the Mediterranean basin and the Arab world, recalling that King Mohammed VI has always insisted on the need to support African countries, mainly the poorest ones.

He went on that the issue of Sebta and Melilia, two Moroccan northern cities still under Spanish rule, ranks high in Morocco's relations with Spain and that Morocco seizes every opportunity to bring the matter with Spanish authorities, proposing to settle the issue in the way similar cases in the world were solved.