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Rabat – Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs said that Spain’s support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan to end the Western Sahara conflict is part of the UN framework and political process to find an agreed-upon and mutually acceptable solution to end the conflict.
“Spain’s position, which has opted for the support of Morocco’s autonomy initiative, is still within the framework of the UN and the resolutions of the UN Security Council”, Borrell told Spanish television TVE on Friday
Borrell recalled that Spain’s position is similar to the stance adopted by Germany and France. Both countries have recently expressed support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as a serious and credible solution to end the dispute over Western Sahara.
“All these positions respond to the UN Charter which pleads for a negotiated solution between the parties involved,” Borrell argued.
“The EU continues to advocate the same approach, namely a negotiated solution between the parties,” he added.
Borrell’s statement came in response to criticism from Algeria and the Polisario Front, who protested Spain’s new position in favor of Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as the most serious and credible solution to end the conflict.
On March 18, Spain officially endorsed Morocco’s Autonomy initiative, recalling the strong bilateral ties uniting Rabat and Madrid.
Spain’s position marked the end of an unprecedented diplomatic crisis with Morocco. In 2021, the Spanish government angered Morocco after it allowed Polisario leader Brahim Ghali to enter the Spanish territory for hospitalization.
Morocco celebrated Spain’s new position that ended a flaring tension between the two countries. Appreciating the new position, the Moroccan government said Spain’s move provides a clear and ambitious roadmap to boost and advance bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries.
Morocco strengthened its position in defending its territorial integrity and sovereignty over Western Sahara. Several countries joined a lengthy list of states, supporting Morocco’s position, including Germany, US, and France.
The US recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara in December 2020, reiterating the viability of the Moroccan autonomy initiative as a credible and serious solution to end the dispute.
Germany and France constantly renewed support for the Autonomy Plan, emphasizing their willingness to continue to forge advanced ties and cooperation with Morocco.
