Turkmenistan backs Morocco’s autonomy proposal for Sahara

Turkmenistan expressed support to Morocco’s efforts to find a lasting political solution to the Sahara on the basis of the autonomy initiative within the framework of its territorial integrity.

The autonomy plan “is the only solution to the conflict over the Sahara,” Turkmen foreign minister Rachid Meredov said Thursday following talks with speaker of the House of Representatives.

Turkmenistan’s position is in line with the UN Charter providing for respect of member states territorial integrity, he said, adding that his country backs the UN process to peacefully settle the regional dispute over the Sahara.

His visit to Rabat was an occasion to highlight the longstanding ties between his country and Morocco, he said, noting that the North African kingdom was among the first nations to support Turkmenistan’s independence quest.

Meredov met several officials in Morocco including his Moroccan peer Nasser Bourita in Rabat and Minister of Finance Mohamed Benchaaboun.