Algérie Presse Service (APS) – December 14, 2011
Minister for Foreign Affairs Mourad Medelci reaffirmed that Algerian-Moroccan relations transcend the current situation in the region and stressed that the two countries are committed to cooperate more extensively.
Replying to a question on “the commitment of the leaders of the two countries toward normalization of relations and the opening of borders between Algeria and Morocco,” Mr. Medelci declared yesterday in an interview with “Russia Al Youm” (Russia Today) television channel that “We hope to resolve all issues with Morocco through steps and according to the situation and our willingness to start a strong and transparent revival (of relations) in the interest of our two peoples and our two countries.”
With regards to the Arab Maghreb Union, the head of Algerian diplomacy declared that the issue has always been the hope of Algeria and all Maghrebans without exception. However, developments were caused by divergence of economic policies or others.” He recalled that “For example, Algeria had worked for twenty years under a centralized system where the public sector had a quasi-monopoly over economic relations and production, whereas Morocco was open to liberalism.”
Regimes differed at the political level as well, said the minister, before adding that in the aftermath of certain events and changes undergone by Arab countries, the regimes got gradually closer at the political level, working over a clearly-defined project.” He declared in this context that convergence at the political and economic levels would allow for progress. “This dream that we have had for so long has now become a necessity (…),” he added.
