British Foreign Minister David Lammy, said the United Kingdom’s support for the Moroccan Autonomy Plan for the former Spanish colony of Western Sahara for considering it as “the most credible, viable and pragmatic base to fix the contentious.”
United Kingdom “considers the autonomy proposal, presented (by Morocco) in 2007 as the most credible, viable and pragmatic base for a durable arrange Signed this Sunday in Rabat by Lammy and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, and collected by the Alauí Kingdom news agency, MAP.
The joint document indicates that “the United Kingdom closely follows the current positive dynamics undertaken in this regard under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohamed VI”. In addition, London “recognizes the importance of the question of Sahara” for Morocco because its resolution “would reinforce the stability of North Africa and reactivate bilateral dynamics and regional integration.”
The text highlights that UK Export Finance, the British agency that supports businesses abroad, “may consider supporting projects in the Sahara”, particularly within the framework of the “Commitment of UK Export Finance of mobilizing 5,000 million pounds (almost 6,000 million euros) to support new economic projects throughout the country.”
London considers that Morocco is “essential gateway to the socioeconomic development of Africa and reaffirms its commitment to deepen its collaboration with Morocco as a partner for growth throughout the continent.”
In any case, “both countries support and consider vital the central role of the United Nations process” and reaffirm “their full support for the efforts of the personal envoy of the UN Secretary General, Staffan de Mistura.” In particular, the United Kingdom declares to be “ready, willing and determined to provide your active support and commitment to the personal envoy and the parties.”
The document emphasizes that the United Kingdom is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and that “shares Morocco’s opinion about the urgent need to find a solution to this prolonged contentious, which would result in the interest of the parties.” “It is time to find a solution and advance in this issue, which would strengthen stability in North Africa and revitalize the bilateral impulse and regional integration,” he says.
The former Spanish colony of Western Sahara was occupied by Morocco in 1975 despite the resistance of the Polisario Front, with whom it remained at war until 1991, when both parties signed a high fire with a view to the celebration of a self -determination referendum. The differences on the elaboration of the census and the inclusion or not of Moroccan settlers have so far prevented its call.
The last setback for the Saharawi was the support of the Spanish and French governments to the Moroccan Autonomy Plan, a qualified posture change of betrayal by the Polisario, which also recalls that Spain is still ‘of Iure’ the administrator power of the Western Sahara. The United States also supports the Moroccan Autonomy Plan and in 2020 Donald Trump signed the recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the territory in dispute.
“New era of integral, genuine and strategic association”
The statement also refers to bilateral relations between the United Kingdom and Morocco, in which both countries intend to “promote a new era of integral, genuine and strategic association.”
London and Rabat “reaffirm their commitment to deepen collaboration in all dimensions” with a vocation of “pioneer association for the future” in areas such as security, defense, commercial, investments, water, climate, energy transition, health, education, research and scientific innovation, human rights, culture and sports.
Both countries “will act as partners, together, to face regional and global issues respecting the principles of peace, security, tolerance and human rights.”
These “privileged links between both kingdoms are based on the solid foundations of common values and convergent interests” and “one of the world’s oldest diplomatic relations, 800 years old.”
“From the Peace and Commerce Treaty 300 years ago to the Association of the United Kingdom-Malarruecos association that entered into force in 2021, economic cooperation continues to grow,” he says.
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