Maghreb Union success depends on respect of member states' integrity, Moroccan official

Morocco's minister in charge of relations with the parliament, Saad Alami, said in Mauritania on Wednesday that the construction of the Maghreb Arab Union (UMA) depends on "the respect of national feelings and the respect of member states' integrity," as stipulated by the Union's founding treaty of Marrakesh (1989).

Alami, who made this statement at the Union's Consultative council 5th session (Mar.12-13), said that the Union's construction should not be seen as "a strategic choice" doubled with "a popular claim" but also as "an crucial necessity to adjust to the international economy and regional groupings.