Continuity marks excellent Moroccan-Tunisian relations, president

President Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia said continuity marks Moroccan-Tunisian relations that he described as "excellent."

The excellent relations that used to bind the two countries under the reign of late King Hassan II will be carried on with King Mohammed VI, president Ben Ali told Lebanese As-Safir daily.

He said bilateral relations will be upgraded in a bid to complete the building up of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA).

King Mohammed VI, the worthy successor of his father, will persevere on the same path to fulfil Maghreban peoples' aspirations to integration, unity, solidarity and progress, President Ben Ali said. He added that he perceived the same determination -- to build up the Maghreb -- at the talks he held with Maghreban leaders.

He further described UMA as a strategic choice and an economic, social and political necessity saying the building up of the union is a priority.

He expressed hope that a Maghreban summit will be held before the end of the current year to exchange viewpoints, coordinate stands and foster cooperation.

The follow-up committee of the Arab Maghreb Union held in Algiers last May had decided that the seventh Maghreban summit -- the first in five years -- will be held before the end of 1999.