Hungary supports Autonomy Plan as ‘most credible basis’ to resolve Sahara dispute, lauds Royal Atlantic Initiative

Hungary has joined its voice to the supporters of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara as it expressed its support for the Kingdom’s efforts to resolve the Sahara issue and backing to the Autonomy Plan, presented in 2007, as “the most credible basis” to resolve this dispute.

This position was expressed by Hungary in the Joint Statement signed at a meeting, held on Wednesday in Rabat, between visiting Hungarian Foreign Minister, Péter Szijjártó, and his Moroccan peer Nasser Bourita.

According to the Joint Statement, the two officials “reaffirmed their support to the UN-led political process and to the efforts of the UN Secretary-General to find a solution to the Sahara issue, in line with the Security Council resolutions.”

Morocco and Hungary emphasized “their positive and constructive roles in maintaining stability, security and peace in their respective regions” and reiterated “their commitment to these principles, as well as to peaceful resolution of conflicts and respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of States.”

Hungary’s new, strengthened position reinforces the recently created momentum, which the latest UN Security Council resolution welcomes and urges to build on.

Hungary also hailed the Royal Initiative to promote Sahel countries’ access to the Atlantic Ocean, launched by King Mohammed VI in November 2023.

In this connection, Morocco and Hungary underlined the importance of security and prosperity in the Sahel, and welcomed each other’s initiatives to improve stability, the economic situation and strengthen connectivity in the region, mainly the Royal Initiative to promote Sahel countries’ access to the Atlantic Ocean

Hungary also “welcomed Morocco’s role as a hub of stability and a relay for growth and development in Africa.”

Both ministers also “discussed the importance of exploring ways to establish tripartite partnerships between Morocco, Hungary and their partners in Africa, to implement joint projects for the economic and sustainable development of African countries, and provide joint responses to the challenges facing these countries, particularly in terms of security, stability, migration and socio-economic development,” the statement added.

Regarding Morocco’s relations with the European Union, the Hungarian official, whose country chairs the Council of the European Union until December 31, reaffirmed Hungary’s steadfast position in favor of strengthening the strategic partnership between the Kingdom and the European bloc.

The Hungarian minister reiterated his country’s constant position in favor of strengthening the strategic partnership between Morocco and the EU, and reaffirmed its commitment to working to serve its interests, by strengthening ties and extending cooperation with Morocco to new fields.

For its part, “Morocco welcomed the success of the Hungarian Chairmanship of the Council of the European Union and the adoption of the Budapest Declaration on the new European agreement on competitiveness,” the joint statement said.