Morocco hopes Algeria would favorably answer reconciliation call

Morocco on Thursday voiced hope that its call for reopening borders with Algeria will find a positive echo in Algiers.

"The election of Abdelaziz Bouteflika as president of Algeria is a source of optimism in view of Bouteflika's relations with Morocco, and hopes are pinned that the Moroccan call for the reopening of borders will be heeded," Moroccan General Affairs Minister Mohamed Lahlimi told the London-based Asharq Al-Awsat daily.

Since his appointment last year, Moroccan Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi has repeatedly called on Algeria to reopen the borders closed since 1994, following a terrorist attack on a luxury hotel in Marrakesh (southern Morocco) by Algerian-born French nationals.

Lahlimi said the statements made by Bouteflika during his electoral campaign regarding King Hassan II and Youssoufi "show that he is still faithful to the values that Morocco and Algeria shared during the struggle for freedom and independence."

He stated, "It is unreasonable that borders between the two countries remain closed, while we endeavor to unify our economies to face up the challenges thrown up by foreign economic groupings."

Touching on a possible visit by Abderrahmane Youssoufi to Algeria, Lahlimi said if such a visit is to contribute to breathing life into Maghreban hopes, Youssoufi will not hesitate for a second to make the trip.