The Netherlands Says Autonomy Plan is Most Realistic Solution to Western Sahara

Rabat – The Netherlands has renewed support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan, describing it as the most genuine and realistic solution to end the dispute over Western Sahara.

Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Tom Berendsen conveyed his country’s position in a press briefing held on Tuesday in Rabat.

The briefing followed his meeting with his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita.

In the press briefing, the Dutch official also reaffirmed the Netherlands’ support for UN Security Council Resolution 2797 and his efforts by UN envoy Staffan de Mistura to facilitate and lead negotiations based on the autonomy plan.

In the Joint Communique adopted following the Dutch-Moroccan meeting, Berendsen also emphasized the Netherlands’ commitment to act in accordance with its position at all diplomatic and economic levels.

The statement reaffirms the steadfast stance the Netherlands has been reiterating in support of Morocco’s  Western Sahara position.

In December last year, the Netherlands made similar remarks,  also welcoming the adoption of Resolution 2797.

The UN Security Council endorsed the autonomy plan as a genuine political solution to end the dispute over Western Sahara.

The widely celebrated resolution also identified the main political parties, challenging Africa’s regime claims that it is merely an observer and not a main party to the dispute.

In an interview with EFE last year, Bourita said that the autonomy plan was formerly seen as a diplomatic initiative. 

Now, he stressed, it is a plan rather than just an initiative, as confirmed by Resolution 2797.

“The plan was drafted in 2007; 18 years have passed, and much has changed in Morocco since then,” the minister said.