Reasons for closed border between Algeria and Morocco still exist: minister

Algerian communication minister, spokesperson for the government Abderrachid Boukerzaza said problems behind the closed land border between Algeria and Morocco still exist.

Algerian communication minister, spokesperson for the government Abderrachid Boukerzaza said problems behind the closed land border between Algeria and Morocco still exist.

“The government is dealing with the Moroccan foreign ministry’s official demand in a general context and not away from the Algerian Moroccan relations,” said Boukerzaza in a press conference at the Press International Centre in Algiers.

“Algeria is for the construction of Maghrebin Union. Though, the question of the border opening can not be handled without dealing with the reasons why it was closed.”

Interior minister Nourredine Yazid Zerhouni said movement of persons and goods between the Algerian and Moroccan borders can not be an isolated issue. “It must be handled in a general context.”

“The problem of movement of goods and persons can not be separated from a comprehensive approach on what we want to do with our Arab Maghreb,” he added.

As for Algerian detainees in Guantanamo and other foreign jails, the communication minister said deportation process in any other state follows provisions of bilateral conventions.

“States like France, Libya, Tunisia and the United States of America did not sign any extradition convention. That’s why; we can not talk about the exchange and extradition of prisoners.”

 He added that the deportation of any Algerian prisoner in Guantanamo or any other country needs a prior accord with the concerned country either the prisoner is sentenced or not.”