Belgium has reiterated its position on the Western Sahara issue, considering Morocco’s 2007 autonomy plan as a “serious and credible effort” and a solid foundation for reaching a mutually accepted solution, as stated in the Joint Declaration of October 20, 2022.
The Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson echoed this stance, pointing to the Joint Declaration that resulted from the Rabat meeting between Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita and his Belgian counterpart Hadja Lahbib, Morocco’s news agency (MAP) reported today.
During this meeting, Lahbib reaffirmed Belgium’s longstanding support for the United Nations-led process, which strives to achieve a “fair, sustainable, and mutually acceptable political solution.”
The Joint Declaration emphasized the exclusivity of the UN in the political process, as well as support for UN Security Council Resolution 2602. In addition, it recognized the roles and responsibilities of the involved parties in seeking a “realistic, pragmatic, durable, and compromise-based political solution.”
Both Morocco and Belgium welcomed the appointment of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy Staffan de Mistura and lauded his efforts to advance the political process based on relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
In addition, the two countries expressed support for the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO).
The Belgian spokesperson noted that the Joint Declaration aligns with Belgium’s stance dating back to February 14, 2014, during the High Joint Commission between Morocco and Belgium. At that time, former Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo praised Morocco’s “serious and credible efforts, particularly through the presentation of its autonomy plan.”
The spokesperson added that Belgium’s position is consistent with the principles outlined in the most recent UN Security Council resolution on the Western Sahara issue, Resolution 2703 of October 30, 2023.
Source: Morocco World News
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