Rabat – Singapore has said that Morocco’s Autonomy Plan is a “serious and credible contribution” to the UN-led political process to find an agreed upon and mutually acceptable solution to the Western Sahara dispute.
Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan reaffirmed his country’s support for Morocco’s initiative during a meeting today with his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita.
Balakrishnan’s working visit to Morocco is of particular significance as the two countries are commemorating the 25th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations.
Following the meeting, Balakrishnan and Bourita held a joint press briefing in which the top Singapoeran diplomat once again expressed his country’s support for Morocco’s territorial integrity.
Balakrishnan called on all parties involved in the Sahara dispute to work toward maintaining peace in the region and putting an end to the long-lasting territorial dispute.
The Moroccan FM also reaffirmed Rabat’s commitment to the UN-led political process, including Resolution 2026, and he welcomed the efforts of the UN Secretary-General Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura.
The two countries vowed to boost bilateral cooperation in various fields including investments, agriculture, tourism, aviation, and climate change, and discussed plans to organize a Morocco-Singapore Investment Forum before the end of this year.
As more world-class businesses flock to the African continent, Bourita recalled Morocco and Singapore’s significant presence in the region in terms of investments that are contributing to the overall socio-economic development of the continent.
On the sideline of the meeting, Rabat and Singapore signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, reiterating the two countries’ pledge to cooperate and achieve emission reduction targets set out in their respective climate action plans.
The MoU seeks to promote sustainable development in the two countries, while strengthening the exchange of expertise and best practices in terms of carbon neutrality.
Bourita and Balakrishnan also expressed readiness to cooperate and provide technical assistance in fields of mutual interest for the benefit of African countries.
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