Moroccan-Algerian relations set to improve

Algerian and Moroccan officials are seizing the opportunity offered by the current thaw in bilateral relations to settle the shared problems which have been hanging over them for years.

By Nazim Fethi for Magharebia in Algiers – 02/08/11

Moroccan King Mohammed VI took advantage of Throne Day celebrations Saturday (July 30th) to call for normalized ties between Algeria and Morocco.

"Morocco will spare no effort to develop its bilateral relations with the region's countries. We take note, in this regard, of the current positive developments in ministerial and sector-specific meetings with the sister nation Algeria," the king said in a Tangier speech.

The sovereign also vowed to work towards Maghreb integration and to overcome political differences.

"I am committed to the launching of a new dynamic action for the settlement of all outstanding issues. This should be a prelude to a full normalization of bilateral relations between the two sister nations, including the re-opening of land borders," Mohammed VI said.

For his part, Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika expressed his desire to move forward with strengthening bilateral relations.

"I would like to take this opportunity to express my satisfaction at the significant progress in Algerian-Moroccan relations in recent times, punctuated by ministerial-level visits," Bouteflika said in a message to the Moroccan king.

"Convinced that we are both linked by a common destiny, I would like to take this opportunity to remind your majesty of my determination to join my efforts with your own to reaffirm our links of fraternity, co-operation and good neighborliness, to build an exemplary bilateral relationship to serve the interests of our two brother countries and peoples, united as they are by their historic links and the challenges of the future," Bouteflika said.

But looking beyond the statements of good intentions from both sides, there is a long way to go before these wishes can be transformed into reality.

Algeria's position on re-opening the borders remains unchanged. Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia said in May that opening the frontier was "not on the agenda".

"Algerian-Moroccan relations have enjoyed something of a revival over recent months, with an exchange of ministerial visits and the extension of co-operation to crucial sectors such as energy, water resources and agriculture," Tout sur l'Algérie quoted an Algerian diplomatic source as saying. "This should help in the consolidation of neighborly relations which, of course, will be in the interests of both countries and brother peoples."

However, there remains one matter which divides the two Maghreb neighbors: Western Sahara. King Mohammed VI reiterated Morocco's autonomy proposal, saying it was a "definitive political solution to the artificial conflict which rages around our Sahara, a solution which must be found through responsible negotiation".

Meanwhile, Algeria continues to support UN negotiations over the territory, which recently ended without progress. The same Algerian diplomatic source quoted by Tout sur l'Algérie rejected any notion that normalized relations could end the conflict, an idea recently suggested by Moroccan officials.

Many Algerians remain wary of the king's gestures. Echourouk said it was "a new attempt by the king to put Algeria on the back foot in the face of international opinion, raising the issue of reopening the borders".

Source: Magharebia.
Link: http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2011/08/02/feature-01.