King resolved to boost relations with neighboring Algeria, message

King Mohammed VI of Morocco has voiced resolve to consolidate relations of "good neighborliness, solidarity and cooperation" with Algeria, in a congratulations message to President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on the occasion of his country's independence day (July 5th).

The monarch recalled in his message the "joint struggle" led by the two countries' peoples for their liberation from colonialism, as well as their "historical, civilizational and spiritual ties."

He also emphasized the need to develop "economic integration" between the two countries, and pledged to spare no effort in his endeavour with the leaders of the North African region of the Maghreb to materialize the Maghreb Union on "solid and sound bases."

The Maghreb Arab Union, known for its French acronym UMA, and made up of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania, is at a stalemate mainly because of the differences between the two most populated countries of this region, Morocco and Algeria, over the future of the Sahara.

The former Spanish colony was retrieved by Morocco in 1975 under the Madrid Accords signed with Spain and Mauritania. However, the Polisario separatist movement, backed by Algeria, has been claiming sovereignty over this territory.