News
Thursday 24 January 2019

Geneva Meeting Enshrines Morocco and UN Frame of Reference to Settle Moroccan Sahara Issue

Vocal synthesis
Geneva Meeting Enshrines Morocco and UN Frame of Reference to Settle Moroccan Sahara Issue

The last meeting in Geneva on the Moroccan Sahara issue has enshrined the frame of reference of Morocco and the United Nations for the settling of this issue, minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Nasser Bourita, said.

In an interview with TV Channel "Al Jazeera", broadcast on Wednesday evening, Bourita said that the Geneva meeting took place in a context marked by the commitment to the immutable guidelines set out in 2015 by HM King Mohammed VI, which clearly stipulate that no settlement of this question can take place outside the autonomy initiative, and that there will be no process in the absence of the parties involved, while stressing that the United Nations is the only body tasked with overseeing the settlement process.

The meeting also took place in accordance with the last two relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council, in particular Resolution N° 2440, which calls for a realistic, pragmatic and sustainable solution based on consensus, and urges all stakeholders to participate in this settlement process, the minister pointed out.

The Geneva meeting, which took place after six years of suspension of contacts, brought together all the parties involved in this dispute and which can participate in finding a solution, Bourita added.

Morocco’s autonomy plan, deemed by the Security Council as a "serious" and "credible" initiative, is likely to help reach a final settlement to this issue, he said.

This initiative, he went on, will help promote the development of the region, preserve the Moroccan Sahrawi heritage and enable local populations to take part in the development process through local institutions.

MAP 24 January 2019