Algeria Sets 3 Conditions To Re-open Borders With Morocco
By Samira Arabi
Morocco News Tribune
Agadir, Morocco | Algeria sets three conditions for Morocco to re-open the borders between the two countries, which were since 1994 after Morocco accused Algeria of involvement in an attack on a hotel in the Moroccan city of Marrakech, according to a statement by an official Algerian.
The three conditions mentioned in a statement received by the Algerian newspaper El-shorouk Friday evening spoke about an immediate cessation of deliberate smear campaign in Moroccan media which, according to the statement, results in a growing negative sentiment toward Algeria.
Secondly, showing true intentions on the part of morocco to come up with an effective mechanism to fight the smuggling of drugs into Algeria.
The statement added that the third condition is Morocco’s recognition of Algeria’s firm and unwavering position on the issue of “Western Sahara”, which Algeria claims it is that the UN that should settle this sort of issue.
It is worth mentioning that Algerian Interior Minister Daho Ould Kabila described recentlythe issue of reopening the border with Morocco as “a major political issue”.
It is to note that the borders between Morocco and Algeria have been closed since 1994 after Morocco accused its Eastern neighboring country of involvement in the terrorist attack on Atlas Asni Hotel in the Moroccan city of Marrakech the same year.
Recently, Morocco’s Interior minister Mohand Laensar said during the 15th conference of 5+5 group interior ministers that “We (Morocco and Algeria) are united by matters related to geography, history and the fight against colonialism” according to Moroccan News Agency.
“There is a will to foster ties with Algeria despite the dispute over the Sahara. There is a difference between opening the Moroccan-Algerian borders and settling the Sahara issue, the minister added.
Last month, the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a communique, in which the ministry reiterates its willingness to open a new page in the relationship between the two neighboring countries.
