Spain’s support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan reflects its full willingness to contribute to the UN-led political process to end the decades-long conflict over Western Sahara, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Wednesday.
Sanchez made his remarks at a plenary session of the Spanish Congress of deputies.
“Spain has taken this decision with the full will to take a step forward towards resolving this dispute,” Sanchez said.
The statement came in response to criticism the Spanish government received from pro-Polisario parties in the Spanish parliament.
“The decision we have taken on the Sahara is a further step on the path that began 14 years ago when the Spanish government welcomed the autonomy presented by Morocco as a valuable contribution to the solution of a deadlock conflict ongoing for more than four decades,” Sanchez argued.
The Spanish PM reiterated that his country considers Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as the basis on which there are more possibilities to find a solution to the Sahara issue after decades-long conflict and status quo in the negotiation process.
Sanchez stressed that his government has the “firm will” to help overcome the Sahara conflict.
He emphasized that Spain has “reaffirmed” and “deepened” its position because there is now a new window of opportunity to resume negotiations after the appointment of the personal envoy of the UN Secretary-General, Staffan de Mistura.
The Spanish official said his country’s new position is in line with European partners and many other countries across the world.
Spain officially endorsed Morocco’s Autonomy initiative on March 18. Several countries and international bodies commended the Spanish move.
Sanchez recalled the EU Commission and High Representative of EU for foreign affairs support for Madrid’s decision in favor of Morocco’s Autonomy Plan.
A few days after Spain’s official endorsement of the Autonomy Plan, the French government released a statement to emphasize the importance of the Moroccan initiative, contributing to the UN-led political process seeking to find a lasting and agreed-upon political solution to the conflict.
Sanchez also cited Germany’s position supporting the autonomy plan, as well as the US which “continues to express its support “for the Moroccan approach.
“All UN Security Council resolutions adopted since 2077 have welcomed the autonomy plan and Morocco’s serious and credible efforts,” Sanchez concluded.
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