Rabat, March 21, 2013 (MAP)
Rabat, March 21, 2013 (MAP)
The visit paid to Morocco since Wednesday by the UN Secretary general’s personal envoy for the Sahara, Christopher Ross, is an opportunity to reiterate Morocco’s resolve to reach a lasting, realistic and consensus-based settlement to the Sahara issue, said on Thursday, communication minister, spokesman of the government, Mustapha El Khalfi.
Speaking at a press briefing following the government’s weekly session, El Khalfi said that the talks held by Ross with Moroccan officials were an opportunity to highlight the Moroccan proposal to grant large autonomy to the southern provinces, as a framework for the settlement of this protracted dispute.
He added that the meetings unfolded in an “atmosphere of frankness” and covered deep aspects and historical responsibilities of this conflict, said the spokesman, adding that the meetings were also an opportunity to reaffirm Morocco’s historical sovereignty right over this territory.
The UN envoy who started his visit to Morocco on Wednesday, part of a tour in the region, met several Moroccan officials, including the head of government, the minister of foreign affairs and cooperation and the speakers of the two parliamentary chambers.
