Rabat – Panama renewed its support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as a serious, credible, and realistic basis to resolve the dispute over Western Sahara.
Panama’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Javier Martinez-Acha Vasquez, reaffirmed his country’s unwavering support for Morocco’s territorial integrity on Monday following a meeting with his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita, today in Rabat.
During a press conference, the Panamanian minister stressed that Morocco’s 2007 Autonomy Plan “should be the only solution in the future,” noting that his position on the dispute is clear and firm – backing the Moroccan initiative as a path toward a lasting resolution.
Morocco’s autonomy initiative has been enjoying growing support with over 113 countries – seeing it as the most or only feasible political framework to end the dispute.
In November last year, Panama suspended diplomatic relations with the self-styled SADR, a separatist group controlled by Algeria and run by Polisario’s leadership.
“The Republic of Panama, prioritizing national interests and remaining faithful to the fundamental principles of its foreign policy, reaffirms its conviction in the objectives and values that guide multilateralism and reiterates its commitment to continue supporting the efforts made by the Secretary General and the international community, under the framework of the UN, toward a peaceful, just, sustainable, and acceptable solution for the parties concerned with the Sahara issue,” a statement from the Panamanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Following the official announcement, Panama announced its support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative as the basis for a just and lasting solution to the dispute.
It also recalls the importance of advancing the political process on the international level, supporting the UN-led political process in finding a mutually acceptable and agreed-upon solution to the dispute.
During his working visit, the Panamanian foreign minister also delivered a written message to King Mohammed VI from the president of the country Jose Raul Moulino.
A statement published by Morocco’s news agency said the message “Reflects the will of the Heads of State of both countries to strengthen the positive momentum in Morocco-Panama relations and to elevate them to broader horizons of cooperation and complementarity in the service of the two friendly nations.”
