Rabat – The Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council for the Arab States (GCC) reiterated on Friday its support for Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara.
The council stressed in its closing statements “the importance of the privileged strategic partnership” between the GCC and Morocco, as well as its support for “the Moroccanness of the Sahara and the preservation of the security and stability of the Kingdom of Morocco and its territorial integrity.”
The council also welcomed the adoption of UN Security Council resolution 2654, which extended the mandate of MINURSO until the end of October 2023.
The Gulf states renewed their support almost a year ago in a similar manner, expressing satisfaction with their ties with Morocco and its government.
In response, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI addressed letters to the leaders of Qatar, Bahrain, Kurait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, thanking them for their support of the county’s territorial integrity.
Read also: Western Sahara: Gulf Countries’ Support for Morocco Frustrates Algeria
Morocco maintains good diplomatic and economic relations with the Gulf states. Notably, Morocco recently helped Qatar with security preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, exchanging expertise with the host country and sending security forces as well as specialized teams to help in running the competition.
There has been a growing chorus of countries expressing support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara, with some– including the UAE– opening diplomatic representations in Morocco’s southern provinces.
The UAE officially opened its consulate in Laayoune in November 2020, becoming the first Arab country to do so.
