"The parties decided to discuss during the next informal meeting, slated late May 2011, issues such as natural resources and mine clearance," Ross said following the sixth set of talks held in Mellieha (Malta), March 7-9.

    They also examined measures of appeasement and ways to avert any provocation that might have a negative impact on the negotiation process, and agreed to take additional measures to back the job of UNSG's Envoy for the Sahara, he added.

    On the confidence-building measures, he underlined that the delegations of Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and the polisario recalled in Malta the results of their meeting with UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), February in Geneva, and "confirmed their support for" the UNHCR's technical mission which will take place next April in order to create the best conditions for the organization of family visits by road on either side.

    The sixth informal meeting, held in Malta, took place in an atmosphere of serious commitment, frankness, and mutual respect, Ross affirmed, noting that by the end of the session "every party continued rejecting the other's proposal as a unique basis for upcoming negotiations."