Japan commends Morocco’s efforts to resolve Sahara conflict

Japan has commended Morocco for its “serious and credible” efforts to advance the political process towards a settlement of the Sahara regional conflict.

This expression of support came in a statement issued by the Japanese Foreign Ministry following a meeting held on Tuesday in Cairo between Japan’s Foreign Minister, Hayashi Yoshimasa, and his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita, on the sidelines of the council of the Arab League 160th Ministerial meeting, chaired by Morocco.

The two officials also took part in the third session of the Arab-Japanese Ministerial Dialogue hosted by Egypt Tuesday.

“Regarding the Western Sahara issue, Hayashi Yoshimasa, the Foreign Minister, welcomed Morocco’s serious and credible efforts to advance the political process,” the Japanese Foreign Ministry’s statement said.

The Japanese Foreign Minister also emphasized the importance of the autonomy plan presented by Morocco and expressed his support for the mediation efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy for the Sahara.

On the other hand, Hayashi highlighted the excellent relations binding Japan and Morocco, which are based on strong friendship ties between the Japanese imperial family and the Moroccan royal family.

In this context, he expressed Japan’s determination to further strengthen these relations in various areas, especially in the fields of business and investment.

Nasser Bourita, on his part, praised the long-standing friendship between the two countries and expressed Morocco’s readiness to deepen cooperation in various fields, including high-level visits, trade and investment, as well as political dialogue.

The two ministers exchanged views on pressing regional and international issues, including the situations in North Korea and Ukraine, and affirmed their commitment to working together on various issues of international concern, the statement added.