Rabat – Spain emphasized Morocco’s “serious and credible efforts” within the UN-led political process to find a political solution to end the dispute over Western Sahara.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez renewed his country’s stance during a joint declaration adopted at the end of a high-level meeting with King Mohammed VI on Thursday evening.
“Spain considers the Moroccan autonomy initiative, presented in 2007, as the most serious, realistic and credible basis for resolving the dispute over the Sahara,” the joint declaration said.
In the joint declaration, Sanchez said his country recognizes the importance of the Sahara issue for Morocco as well as the North African country’s serious and credible efforts within the framework of the United Nations to find a mutually acceptable solution.
King Mohammed VI hosted Sanchez who came to Morocco for an official visit.
The visit came at the invitation of the King of Morocco.
Sanchez’s visit to Morocco marked the end of an unprecedented crisis between the two countries in 2021.
The crisis came following Spain’s decision to host Polisario leader Brahim Ghali for hospitalization.
Morocco’s government protested the move, describing the Spanish decision as against partnership and cooperation between the two countries.
Since last year, Spain has been attempting to reconcile and restore normality to diplomatic relations.
With the recent development, including Spain’s position change, Rabat and Madrid expressed determination to work together to strengthen cooperation in all fields through the opening of a new phase of bilateral relations.
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