Arab Maghreb Union Proves Unable to Go Further Than a Concept

The Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) has proved itself “unable to go further than a mere concept or a project idea, the various political and diplomatic officials who took part on 27 and 28 November, in the 23-Business week in Sousse, Tunisia, said.

The sessions were held under the aegis of the Arab Institute of Business Leaders (IACE) under the theme of “Business and Mediterranean Union: approaches to new future.”

There were opportunities for parallel advocacy toward the revival of the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU).

Delegates at meetings lamented the “stalled state” of the organization set up in 1989 for regional economic integration between Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania and Tunisia.

Among these figures was El-Omar Kabbaj, African Development Bank’s former Chairman and current adviser to the Moroccan King, who highly lamented the diplomatic aspects that negatively affect the body.

As for Algeria’s former Prime Minister, Sid Ahmed Ghozali, he focused on the political disagreements “which” he said strongly penalize the implementation of agreements in economic terms.”

According to Ghozali, the strategy to revive the AMU should now consist in “giving priority to businesses” destined to be the driving force in implementing trade agreements.

Sousse’s meeting was aimed at setting up a Mediterranean Union (MU), which inspired former Head of Algerian government’s intervention.

For M Ghozali, “the real issue at stake” is about knowing whether the Maghreb countries are “actually” able to embark on a project larger than the MU” as it is still struggling to find common ground within the AMU.

Tunisian Industry, Energy and SMEs Minister, Afif Chelbi, in turn regretted “the delay in building a strong AMU.

Speaking of the international financial crisis, the Tunisian Minister said it was “regrettable that there had been to date neither initiative from the UPM nor from the League of Arab States on the implications of this crisis on the region’s economies.

Source African Press Agency

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