France Renews Support for Morocco’s Autonomy Initiative

France has renewed support for Morocco’s autonomy initiative as a final peaceful solution to the Sahara dispute, said a joint statement issued at the end of the 13th Moroccan-French High-level Meeting.

The document reiterated that Morocco’s autonomy proposal represents a “serious and credible solution” and a basis to reach a just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution to the Sahara issue.

In this respect, the statement expresses support for the efforts led under the auspices of the UN to reach a political solution to the dispute over the Sahara.

The two countries underscored the importance of relaunching the UN-led political talks on the basis of the parameters set by the UN Security Council in conformity with UNSC Resolution 2351 dated April 28, 2017.

The document, issued following the high-level meeting co-chaired by Head of the Moroccan government Saad Eddine El Othmani and French Prime Minister Edouard Philipe, also underscored France’s support for the new UNSG personal envoy for the Sahara Horst Kohler in his new mission.

The French Premier’s visit to Morocco was a chance to highlight the special relationship between the two countries with the signing of numerous agreements providing for stepping up cooperation in fields relating notably to transport, culture, renewable energy, industry.