Moves underway to bring back Moroccan-Algerian relations to normal course, Basri says
"Moves are currently conducted on both sides to bring back (Moroccan-Algerian) relations to their normal course," said Moroccan minister of the interior, Driss Basri. This came at a joint news conference in Algiers on Monday at the end of the 5th conference of home ministers of western Mediterranean countries.
To a question on the movement of persons between Morocco and Algeria and the possibility to re-open the land borders in a near future, Basri said "this is a fundamental question for the brotherly and neighboring Moroccan and Algerian peoples" and that King hassan II, President Bouteflika as well as the two states' governments "are keen on establishing natural relations and promoting neighborliness and cooperation."
"Efforts will be exerted to reach this goal, in line with everybody's aspirations," Basri said. Moroccan Prime Minister, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, has been calling since his appointment in March 1998, on Algeria to re-open the borders. But Algeria has replied that Moroccan-Algerian relations should be reviewed in a global approach, providing no detail on this approach.
Asked whether there are consultations between Morocco and Algeria to "contain some rear-bases of Algerian terrorist groups existing in Morocco," Basri has categorically denied the existence of such bases in Morocco.
He underlined that "regarding struggle against terrorism, Morocco and Algeria are bound by historical, brotherly and civilizational relations that are deeply rooted in the common struggle and the shared destiny."
Regardless of what is being said or what is being published by some media, King Hassan II and the Algerian president are both concerned to preserve the security of borders between the two states, the Moroccan official added.
He stated further that any time problems of this kind happened, Morocco has always solemnly and repeatedly given the evidence (of its good intention) towards Algeria and brought before court the persons suspected of reprehensible acts against our Algerian brothers.