Maghreb Union, a strategic aim, says Algiers

The Algerian government on Monday stated that the Arab Maghreb Union remains a "strategic objective" and a must dictated the new international changes and a common destiny shared by peoples of the Maghreb.

In a press release on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the signing (February 17, 1989) of the Marrakesh treaty for the creation of this regional grouping made up of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania, the Algerian foreign affairs ministry said "great hopes and expectations have accompanied the creation of this space where the citizen will enjoy freedom, action, movement, and residence as part of the complementary interests among the people of the Maghreb."

The Arab Maghreb Union, known by its French initials UMA could not so far materialize because of divergences between member countries in particular Morocco and Algeria over the Sahara issue.

Morocco is holding its neighboring country Algeria responsible of the stalemate concerning the future of this former Spanish colony retrieved by Morocco under the 1975 Madrid Accords.

Algerian authorities have been granting political, financial and military support to the separatist movement "Polisario" that is claiming independence of this territory.

On the same occasion, the Algiers-based Maghreban Consultative Council (Parliament) wished that the union process "evolves on solid grounds to clear obstacles impeding the achievement of this strategic and civilizational project in favor of the peoples of the region."