Rabat – Cambodia has reiterated its support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as a realistic and credible political solution for Western Sahara.
Cambodia formalized its position in a joint statement signed following a videoconference meeting between Morocco’s Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita and Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn.
Sokhonn, who also serves as Foreign Minister, conveyed his country’s support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan and for the country’s sovereignty over its southern provinces.
“While Commending Morocco’s efforts to reach a negotiated political solution to this regional dispute, through the Autonomy Plan presented in 2007, H.E Prak Sokhonn reaffirmed Cambodia’s full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Morocco,” the joint statement reads.
The country also reaffirmed support for the UN-led process led by the UN Secretary General and his Personal Envoy in line with the parameters set by relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Bourita and Sokhonn also reaffirmed their countries’ shared commitment to the common values of peace, security, and stability, rejecting all separatist agendas aimed at undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of UN members.
Morocco and Cambodia also share the same position against the threats posed by separatist groups to political security and stability in different regions, stating these threats are similar to those posed by terrorists and extremist groups.
This is not the first time Cambia has reaffirmed its full support for Morocco’s sovereignty. In March 2023, Sokhonn reiterated the same position during an official visit to Morocco.
Cambodia’s statement comes at a time when Morocco is witnessing international support for its Autonomy Plan.
The initiative has been widely recognized as a credible and realistic framework to resolve the dispute. Countries, including France, the UK, the US, and Spain, reaffirm their backing of the Moroccan proposal. They are part of at least 120 countries that share the same view and support for the initiative.
The two countries also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties through the exchange of visits and bilateral talks. In 2022, the two countries signed an agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic and service passport holders.
They also signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Moroccan Academy of Diplomatic Studies and the Cambodian National Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies.
