Moroccan Ambassador exposes Algerian allegations, inconsistencies at OSCE meeting

Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Morocco in Vienna, Azzeddine Farhane, exposed the allegations and inconsistencies peddled by the representative of the Algerian authorities about relations with the Kingdom at the Organization for Security and Cooperation (OSCE) Ministerial Council Meeting.

In a right of reply to the statement of Algeria, Ferhane deplored the attitude of the Algerian ambassador who focused in his speech, to the surprise of delegations, on relations between Morocco and Algeria, while the OSCE has always been free of bilateral differences between the Mediterranean Partners of this regional organization.

Algeria’s statement was made just after Farhane’s speech on Morocco’s vision and security issues concerning the Mediterranean dimension of the OSCE.

The Algerian representative claimed that Morocco aims to destabilize Algeria through its acts of rapprochement with Israel and that there is no notion of good neighborliness and cooperation between Morocco and Algeria, adding that “Morocco encourages and supports, politically and diplomatically, organizations aiming at the secession of Algeria.”

In his response, the Moroccan diplomat addressed questions to the Algerian Ambassador, asking to clarify the inconsistent position of his country: “Who refuses dialogue with Morocco? Who rejects negotiation? Who refuses bilateral cooperation? Who supports separatism? Who is responsible for the closure of the borders with Morocco, since 1994?”.

The multiple initiatives for dialogue and settlement of bilateral issues have not been followed up by Algeria, he noted.

Before Algeria’s unilateral decision to sever relations with Morocco, King Mohammed VI called for dialogue with Algeria, in His speech on the occasion of the 22nd anniversary of His accession to the throne, the diplomat recalled.

“Unfortunately, Algeria has rejected all calls for dialogue, whether from Morocco or other friendly countries, and has opted for escalation,” he added.

Algeria’s only response through its Minister of Foreign Affairs was to describe the severance of his country’s relations with Morocco as a “sovereign, irreversible and final decision,” he recalled.