Algeria wants to lay bridges of cooperation with Morocco, Bouteflika
"Algeria is determined to lay down bridges of bilateral cooperation and of brotherhood with Morocco," Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika said.
"I avail myself to this occasion to renew to your Majesty Algeria's determination to lay down bridges of bilateral cooperation and of brotherhood with Morocco to serve our two brotherly and neighbor peoples and its (Algeria) will to continue fruitful and constructive action to materialise their (Moroccan and Algerian) aspirations to a return to normal and to re-establishment of concord and harmony," Bouteflika said in a message of congratulations to King Mohammed VI on the occasion of the Moroccan Revolution of the King and the People, marked on August 20.
Relations between Morocco and Algeria are strained because of Algiers' direct involvement in the issue of the Moroccan Sahara.
Bouteflika underlined that the event (the Revolution of the King and the People) "unifies the hearts of the sons of Morocco and of Algeria to revive their heroic synergy in the same combat and for the same objective, for which they paid a high price, namely liberation and independence."
"The current and future generations should not forget (this event) and should pray, on this historic occasion, in memory of Your Grand father, Mohammed V, hero of liberation, and of your father, Hassan II, Builder of Modern Morocco, May God rest their souls in peace," said the Algerian President.
These generations, he added, should be inspired by the two kings' bravery and sacrifices that deserve to be praised throughout time.
The anniversary, Bouteflika said, should also be an opportunity for Maghreban leaders to renew their determination and intensify efforts for the perfection of the Arab Maghreb Union and for the materialisation of cooperation and complementarity among our brotherly nations.
"Algeria, which believed and still believes in the inevitability of this joint civilisational, strategic and vital choice..., remains determined to work sincerely and earnestly with all our Maghreban Union members for the materialisation of the union's noble objectives," the Algerian President said.
Morocco and Algeria joined with Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania to set up in 1989 the Arab Maghreb Union. However, Algeria's involvement in the Moroccan Sahara issue prevented the take off of this Union as a full-fledged regional bloc.
Bouteflika added that "the wisdom we all make prevail, the sincere will we all show, the faith we share in the values of peace and neighbourliness as well as our rejection of extremism and terrorism are, I am convinced, the best means to overcome juncture problems and reach the objectives to which our peoples aspire."