Washington – The US supports and encourages a rapprochement and normalization of relations between Morocco and Algeria that will lead to the opening of land borders, US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Maghreban Affairs Raymond Maxwell said on Tuesday.
“We are supportive of a rapprochement between Morocco and Algeria,” underscored Maxwell in an interview with MAP, adding that such normalization “is in the interest of both Morocco and Algeria.”
The US official notes that regional across the Maghreb stands at only 2 to 3%, noting that it could be a lot higher with the opening of borders.
On the recent visit to Algiers by Foreign Minister Saad Eddine El Othmani, Maxwell said that this trip represents “a frist step” that will lead to similar visits “in order to build confidence necessary to normalize relations.”
During his visit last January to Morocco, Maxwell met notably with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Minister of Economy and Finance, Minister of Communication and Spokesman for the Government as well as civil society activists.
Maxwell’s visit is part of strategic partnership and regular consultations between officials of the two countries to exchange views on issues of common concern.
