Algiers, August 1, 2014 (SPS) – Algeria is willing to establish "normal" relations with Morocco and build the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) in compliance with Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination under the International Law, Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra said Wednesday.
Algeria today "reaffirms its commitment for the establishment of the normal bilateral relations with the Kingdom of Morocco and the construction of the Arab Maghreb Union to serve the interests of the region’s peoples, but by respecting the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination," Lamamra stressed in an interview with Ennahar TV channel.
"When Algeria banked on the establishment of normal bilateral relations with the Kingdom of Morocco and on the creation of the Arab Maghreb Union to set up a new climate in the region, likely to offer promising prospects to the region’s peoples, it was based on the idea that Morocco would admit evidences and would not impose a solution in the region which would be rejected by both the international community and the Sahrawi people," the minister said.
"The position of Algeria vis-à-vis the Saharawi question is sound and fair, it is a shared position with other people around the world," he recalled while emphasizing the commitment of the international community to the principle of a self-determination referendum of the Saharawi people.
After recalling Spain’s historical and legal responsibility in the Sahrawi issue, Lamamra regretted Morocco’s usage, since 1975, of a "stereotypical image of Algeria that is mobilizing the world and is conducting diplomatic actions favorable to the Saharawi cause, driven by an allegedly unjustified animosity towards Morocco."
"The henceforth established truth rose from obscurity a Sahrawi just cause, adopted by the African continent and the international community. There is also an international doctrine which imposes decolonization in the world," Lamamra said.
"This doctrine calls on UN and the parties in conflict the holding of a free and fair self-determination referendum for the Sahrawi people."
Answering a question on the Moroccan accusations that Algeria is currently hindering the process of Western Sahara issue settlement, Lamamra said: "We do not believe that thoughtless and irresponsible actions from certain parties in the brother country will alter Algeria’s position of principle; for this it is closely related to our contemporary history and our dignity as an independent state that has recovered its independence at the cost of heavy sacrifices of 1.5 million martyrs.”
"Algeria will remain attached to its position, its serenity and clear conscience will spare it from replying each time that excesses are recorded here and there," he concluded. (SPS)
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