German reunification could inspire Morocco, Algeria to open new chapter- Ambassador

German Ambassador to Rabat Götz Schmidt-Bremme said the reunification of Germany after the fall of Berlin wall could offer insight to Morocco and Algeria to open new chapter in their bilateral relations.

Borders between Morocco and Algeria have been closed since 1994 tearing apart families and blocking the Maghreb integration process.

Morocco has showed good will and adopted an outstretched hand policy towards Algeria as the recent speeches by King Mohammed VI called for a stronger Maghreb and improved ties with Algeria.

The German ambassador, who was addressing Tuesday in Rabat a group of journalists, on the occasion of the anniversary of the reunification of Germany, October 3, 1990, said the separation suffered by Germany for 30 years has many similarities with the Maghreb stalemate calling on Morocco and Algeria to cooperate.

The German diplomat said that to boost the UMA, it is necessary that Morocco and Algeria sit around the dialogue table in order to solve all bilateral problems.

Morocco and Algeria have been at loggerheads because of the Sahara issue as Algiers continues to host, arm and back diplomatically the Polisario separatist while preventing progress in negotiations on the basis of the autonomy plan presented by Morocco in 2007 and described by the UN Security Council as “serious and credible.”

The ambassador said there is no winner in the perpetuation of the conflict over the Sahara.

Former German President Horst Kohler has resigned from his post as UN Envoy for the Sahara after relaunching talks over the four-decade-long conflict.

He said settling the Sahara conflict requires serious involvement of Algeria and the Polisario along with Morocco.