Rabat – According to Maghreb Arab Press (MAP), Kohler issued a statement after the closing of the roundtable, convening Morocco, Mauritania, Polisario, and Algeria.
According to the statement, the delegations agreed that the personal envoy would invite them to a second roundtable in the first quarter of 2019.
Kohler’s statement added that the “delegations discussed regional issues and the next steps in the Western Sahara policy process.”
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According to Kohler, all delegations recognized that cooperation and regional integration “are the best way to address the many important challenges facing the region.“
The delegations also acknowledged that a solution to the Western Sahara conflict will contribute to the improvement of the lives of the people of the region.
Following the roundtable, Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita said in a press conference that the Moroccan delegation, especially Sahrawi members gave presentations about the development projects in the region.
The delegation included President of the Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra region Sidi Hamdi Ould Errachid; President of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region Ynja Khattat; and Fatima Adli, a member of the Smara municipal council.
Bourita, who led the delegation, added that Ynja, Adli and Errachid also explained the role of women and youth as a bridge to end the conflict.
Bourita confirmed that Kohler talked about his intention to invite the parties to conflict to a second roundtable that will occur in the first three months of 2019.
He added that the participation of Sahrawis in the roundtable had an important influence.
Bourita added that Morocco emphasized at the end of the roundtable that “a good spirit to end the conflict is good, but not enough.”
He said that there should be an “utter determination to find a solution” to the conflict.
While acknowledging that the discussions in Geneva were carried out in an atmosphere of optimism, Bourita said that “we should be certain” that this is translated into a strong willingness to end the conflict.
He concluded that Morocco considers this roundtable “as a test to see whether the parties have the determination to move forward toward a solution.”
