Algeria - Morocco
Bilateral in force
INTRODUCTION
Algeria and Morocco signed an Establishment Convention (Convention d´établissement) in 1963, which was modified by an Annex Protocol in 1969. The provisions of both instruments were further clarified via a 1969 Exchange of Letters. In accordance with the Preamble of the 1963 Convention, the main reasons for its adoption relate to the close links between both countries and the need to reinforce them to facilitate the advent of a “Great Arab Maghreb”. The 1963 Convention, as modified by the 1969 Annex, offers nationals of each state party the possibility to freely enter, stay, circulate, and establish themselves in the territory of the other state party (entrer, sojourner, circuler et s´y établir). The legal instruments also enshrine the principles of reciprocity and non-discrimination with nationals. All three instruments were ratified by both Algeria and Morocco in 1969 and have not been denounced.
The Arab Maghreb Union, which includes Algeria and Morocco, was established in 1989. According to Article 2 of its founding treaty, one of its aims is to work for the progressive realization of the free movement of persons. However, no protocol or other legal instrument has been adopted in this regard.
STATE PARTIES
- ALGERIA
- MOROCCO
TIMELINE
| 1963 | Signature of the Establishment Convention between both countries on 15 March |
|---|---|
| 1969 | Signature of the Annex Protocol to the 1963 Convention on 15 January |
| 1969 | Exchange of Letters between both countries on 15 January |
| 1969 | Morocco ratifies all three instruments on 14 April 1969 |
| 1969 | Algeria ratifies the Annex Protocol on 2 September 1969 |
| 1989 | Signature of the Treaty of Marrakech establishing the Arab Maghreb Union on 17 February |
KEY LEGAL DOCUMENTS
Establishment Convention between Algeria and Morocco, Alger, 15 March 1963 [Convention d’établissement].
Annex Protocol modifying and completing the provisions of the 1963 Convention, Ifrane, 15 January 1969 [Protocol Annexe modifiant et complétant les dispositions de la Convention d’établissement].
Exchange of Letters between the Ministers of Foreign Affairs interpreting the provisions of the 1969 Protocol, Ifrane, 15 January 1969 [Échange de lettres]
ADDITIONAL LEGAL DOCUMENTS
Morocco, Decree ratifying the three international instruments, 14 April 1969, Moroccan Official Gazette, 15 April 1969 [Dahir n° 1-69-114 du 26 moharrem 1389 (14 avril 1969) portant ratification et publication de la convention d'établissement entre le Royaume du Maroc et la République algérienne démocratique et populaire signée à Alger le 15 mars 1963, du protocole annexe modifiant et complétant les dispositions de ladite convention signé a Ifrane le 15 Janvier 1969 et de l'échange de lettres en date à Ifrane du 16 janvier 1969].
Algeria, Decree ratifying conventions and agreements between Algeria and Morocco, 2 September 2919, Algerian Official Gazette, 10 September 1969 [Ordonnance n° 69-68 du 2 septembre 1969 portant ratification de conventions et accords algéro-marocains].
Treaty instituting the Arab Maghreb Union, Marrakesh, 17 February 1989. Entry into force, 1 July 1989.