Rabat – Malta has expressed support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan, describing it as a serious and credible basis to end the dispute over Western Sahara.
The Maltese Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and Trade, Ian Borg, conveyed his country’s position during a joint statement following his meeting with his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita.
In the joint statement, Malta encourages all parties to demonstrate greater political will in favor of a “definitive solution,” and to re-engage in UN efforts in a spirit of “realism and compromise.”
Minister Borg underscored Malta’s unwavering endorsement of the UN-led process, advocating for a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political resolution for all parties involved.
– | M. Nasser Bourita a reçu, aujourd’hui à Rabat, le ministre des Affaires Etrangères et Européennes et du Commerce de la République de Malte, M. Ian Borg.@MinisterIanBorg pic.twitter.com/CwawQAMeOp
— Maroc Diplomatie (@MarocDiplomatie) June 5, 2023
Both ministers reiterated the crucial role of the UN in the political process and reaffirmed their support for UN Security Council Resolutions 2602 and 2654. These resolutions aim to achieve a mutually acceptable political solution to the Western Sahara question.
Morocco’s autonomy plan refers to a proposal that the country submitted in 2007 to the UN Security Council as part of its efforts to end the decades-long dispute over the Western Sahara region.
Malta’s endorsement adds to a growing list of countries that consider Morocco’s autonomy proposal as the most promising pathway towards a sustainable and realistic politically negotiated resolution to the dispute over Western Sahara.
Read Also: Cape Verde Reiterates Firm Support for Morocco’s Territorial Integrity
Notable countries supporting Morocco’s autonomy plan include the United States, Cape Verde, Ukraine, Sierra Leone, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands, among many others. This growing international backing underscores the perceived viability and legitimacy of Morocco’s approach to addressing the complex issue of Western Sahara.
Deepening economic and trade cooperation
The Maltese Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and Trade, Ian Borg with his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita.
In addition to expressing their shared commitment to resolving the Western Sahara dispute, Malta and Morocco further solidified their bilateral relations during the meeting.
The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Moroccan Academy of Diplomatic Studies and the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies of Malta, fostering educational cooperation between the two countries.
M. Nasser Bourita et son homologue maltais, M. Ian Borg, ont procédé, aujourd’hui à Rabat, à la signature d’un MoU entre l’Académie Marocaine des Etudes Diplomatiques et l’Académie Méditerranéenne des Etudes Diplomatiques de Malte, et ce à l’issue de leur entretien bilatéral. pic.twitter.com/L7hq3okEvv
— Maroc Diplomatie (@MarocDiplomatie) June 5, 2023
Both ministers emphasized their commitment to strengthening economic and trade cooperation, particularly in the renewable energy sector, as well as their collaboration in combating illegal migration and human trafficking.
The Maltese FM commended Morocco’s remarkable reforms across various fields under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, which have positioned the country as a credible partner and a pole of stability in the region.
The two ministers hailed the excellent relations between Morocco and Malta and reiterated their shared desire to further strengthen them.
