Western Sahara: Switzerland Affirms Support for Morocco's ‘Serious Efforts’

Rabat – Switzerland has reaffirmed the significance of Morocco’s “serious” and “credible efforts” in pursuing a lasting political resolution to the Western Sahara issue.

Embracing the Moroccan autonomy proposal as a potential solution, Switzerland acknowledges its “positive impact” in effectively ending the decades-long dispute over the Western Sahara region.

The country’s support for Morocco’s autonomy plan was expressed by Swiss Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis during a press briefing held today at the end of his talks with Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita.

استقبل السيد ناصر بوريطة، اليوم بالرباط، المستشار الفيدرالي ووزير الشؤون الخارجية السويسري، السيد إجنازيو كاسيس. @ignaziocassis pic.twitter.com/PRpYHSzGlH

— الدبلوماسية المغربية (@MarocDiplo_AR) June 23, 2023

Cassis, who is currently on a working visit to Morocco, reiterated Switzerland’s commitment to facilitating a favorable solution.

Referring to Morocco’s autonomy plan, Cassis commended the initiative as a “positive step” in the overall process.

In addition, Switzerland pledged to employ its full capabilities to aid in reaching a favorable resolution, emphasizing the urgency of settling the protracted crisis.

“This initiative is a positive point in the process, and we will do everything in our power to facilitate a favorable solution,” Cassis stressed, adding: “It’s time for this issue to be settled and to find a solution, because this crisis has been going on for too long.”

Highlighting its support for the United Nations’ efforts and the central role it plays in addressing the Sahara issue, Switzerland echoed its commitment to a political solution in line with international law and Security Council resolutions.

Cassis stressed the need for constructive dialogue and compromise to secure an agreement with the UN representative that can bring the process to a successful conclusion.

Submitted to the UN Security Council in 2007, Morocco’s autonomy plan has been widely applauded as a serious and credible step towards resolving the longstanding dispute over the Western Sahara region.

Over the past decade, the Moroccan autonomy initiative has secured considerable support from many countries. Switzerland is among the growing number of nations that have recognized the autonomy plan as the most viable route to achieving a sustainable and politically negotiated solution to the Sahara question.

The list of countries applauding Morocco’s autonomy proposal includes esteemed nations such as the United States, Malta, Cape Verde, Ukraine, Sierra Leone, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands, among others.

Strengthening Cooperation in Various Areas

During today’s press conference, Bourita highlighted the strong and positive bilateral relations between Switzerland and Morocco.

أهم ما جاء في كلمة السيد ناصر بوريطة خلال هذه الندوة الصحفية. pic.twitter.com/RsJzyqQsMy

— الدبلوماسية المغربية (@MarocDiplo_AR) June 23, 2023

In particular, the chief of Moroccan diplomacy recalled the centenary celebration of diplomatic relations between the two countries, which took place two years ago.

He also recalled his visit to Bern, the capital city of Switzerland, in December 2021, during which the two nations signed a joint declaration encompassing various areas of cooperation, such as the economy, new technologies, science, and sustainable development.

This declaration has already yielded tangible outcomes, including the signing of a bilateral treaty on climate cooperation between Switzerland and Morocco in November 2022, on the sidelines of COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh.

Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita and Swiss Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis

Economic relations and migration cooperation were among the topics discussed during the meeting between Bourita and his Swiss counterpart. The top Moroccan diplomat emphasized Switzerland’s position as one of the ten leading investors in Morocco, with over 50 Swiss companies operating in the North African country and employing approximately 7,000 individuals.

Recent figures reveal a consistent increase in trade volume between the two nations, rising from over $500 million in 2015 to over $700 million in 2022. Notably, Swiss-Moroccan trade experienced a nearly 19% growth between 2021 and 2022, with Morocco importing $410 million worth of Swiss goods.