Brussels, 20/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - The foreign ministers of the five countries of the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU), who met in Rabat on Saturday, decided to relaunch the process of integrating their respective countries, which had somewhat stalled over the last few years because of continuing differences between Algeria and Morocco. A summit will be convened in the course of this year. “2012 will be the year that drives forward the North African spirit”, said the Moroccan conference host, taking part in a joint press conference with his Algerian opposite number to hammer home the point that they were united in their views. “We are breathing new life into the Maghreb Union, and the new political situation and climate are right”, added Saad Eddine El Othmani, stating that “the atmosphere and context surrounding this 30th session provide fresh impetus to North African construction”. His Algerian counterpart Mourad Medelci said: “As events speed up, the countries of North Africa must coordinate their positions so that the AMU becomes a regional partner, particularly of the European Union”. With a meeting of the Western Mediterranean Dialogue (“5+5”), involving five EU countries, taking place in Rome on Monday 20 February, the five countries also decided to “increase cooperation and consultation”. They also decided to hold a meeting of the North African countries in Algiers to discuss security issues. (FB/transl.rt)