The Moroccan king Mohammed VI on Tuesday called for direct and frank dialogue to settle differences with neighboring Algeria.

The land borders between Morocco and Algeria have been closed since 1994 amid their tensions over border issues.

"I should like to say today, in a very straightforward and responsible way, that Morocco stands ready for a direct and frank dialogue with our sister nation Algeria, in order to settle the transient and objective differences impeding the development of relations between the two countries," the king said in a national speech.

He suggested the establishment of a joint political mechanism for dialogue and consultation to "break the stalemate in the relations" between the two countries.

This mechanism could be used to analyze all issues in good faith, while serving as a practical platform for cooperation on regional and international challenges, the Moroccan king said.