Guinea-Bissau reaffirms support for Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara & lauds Royal Atlantic Initiative

Guinea Bissau has reaffirmed steadfast support for Morocco’s sovereignty over its entire Saharan territory, expressing strong attachment to the UN exclusive frame-work for achieving a realistic, practical and lasting solution to the Sahara dispute.

Speaking to journalists following talks held Tuesday in Laayoune with Moroccan Foreign minister Nasser Bourita on the sidelines of the 3rd meeting of the Morocco-Guinea Bissau Commission, the top diplomat of the West African country Carlos Pinto Pereira reiterated his country’s backing to Morocco’s autonomy Initiative offered for the Sahara under its sovereignty, describing the initiative as the ONLY credible & realistic solution to this regional dispute.

He also recalled the opening by Guinea-Bissau of a Consulate in Dakhla in October 2020, a move confirming recognition of the Moroccanness of the Sahara.

Guinea Bissau has also praised Royal the initiative aimed at transforming the African Atlantic into a zone of shared prosperity, growth, peace and stability.

In a joint press release, Mr. Pereira has stressed the strategic importance of the Initiative launched by King Mohammed VI for the Sahel countries. The Royal initiative seeks to enhance regional integration by offering the African landlocked countries an opening onto the Atlantic Ocean, transforming not only their economies but the whole region as well.

Talks between the two ministers focused on regional and international issues of common interest. They stressed commitment of Morocco and Guinea Bissau to peaceful resolution of conflicts in Africa and hailed Morocco’s efforts engaged for inclusive growth, development and regional integration.

The two ministers lauded the excellent bonds of friendship and solidarity uniting the two countries peoples and pledged to continue working to strengthen further bilateral cooperation.

Bourita voiced Morocco’s willingness to support the West African country in its projects and development programs, underlining the important role of the private sector in boosting trade and economic cooperation.

The two ministers agreed to hold a business forum to strengthen Morocco’s investments in this African country and stressed the need to set up a Morocco-Guinea-Bissau Business Council to enhance trading and partnership between the two African countries.