Belgium deems Moroccan Autonomy Initiative a very good basis for mutually acceptable solution to Sahara issue
“Belgium deems the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative, presented in 2007, to be a serious and credible effort by Morocco and a very good basis for a solution accepted by all parties”, Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bernard Quintin, said during a press briefing following talks, on Wednesday in Rabat, with his Moroccan peer Nasser Bourita.
Talks with Bourita “helped me understand the ins and outs of the autonomy plan and realize the existential nature of this issue for Morocco”, the Belgian minister underlined, adding that “we know how important of an issue this is for Morocco.”
“Some prominent European and international partners have changed their position”, he said, noting that Morocco and Belgium “will continue to engage constructively on this subject.”
Belgium “fully supports the UN process for a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution” and “recalls the UN’s exclusive role in the political process,” Quintin said.
He also reiterated Belgium’s backing for “UN Security Council Resolution 2703, which underscores the role and responsibility of the parties in seeking a realistic, pragmatic, and enduring political solution based on compromise.”
Belgium’s constructive stance aligns with the international momentum driven by King Mohammed VI, in support of Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara and the Autonomy Plan.
In a Joint Statement issued following the meeting between the two Foreign Ministers, Belgium also praised the Royal Initiative aimed at enabling Atlantic access for Sahel countries, as well as the Process of the Atlantic African States.
“Belgium has commended the efforts made by Morocco through various initiatives launched under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI to promote peace, stability, and socio-economic development in Africa, particularly the Royal Initiative to enable Sahel countries’ access to the Atlantic Ocean and the Process of the Atlantic African States,” stated the Joint Statement.
Belgium also praised Morocco’s role as a vital and reliable partner and as a key player in strengthening regional stability and cooperation, the Joint Statement added.
Regarding bilateral relations, Morocco and Belgium welcomed their historic and excellent relations and the strategic importance of these relations, while reaffirming their willingness to give a new momentum to their partnership in all areas, the Joint Statement pointed out, adding that the two officials voiced the two countries’ shared desire to strengthen political dialogue and further promote economic partnership in trade and investment, particularly in the field of energy transition and green energies.
Bourita and Quintin also vowed to continue strengthening cooperation in other priority areas, as defined in the roadmap drawn up by the High Joint Partnership Commission, such as culture, youth, migration, and security cooperation in the broad sense.
Belgium on the other hand welcomed the various ambitious reforms implemented under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, notably the reform of the Family Code and advanced regionalization.
The strengthening of Morocco’s cooperation with Belgium falls in line with the efforts made by Morocco as part of the Royal Vision aimed at diversifying partnerships. It also confirms Morocco’s role as a strategic player for European countries.
In his press briefing, the Belgian official described relations between Belgium and Morocco as “the most exhaustive and diversified in the region.”
“Our respective people know better how Morocco and Belgium are historic allies. We undoubtedly have very strong human ties”, Quintin said, noting that the Moroccan community in Belgium, estimated at 800,000 people, “contributes to the diversity and intermingling of Belgian society.”
Welcoming the political closeness between the two countries, the Belgian minister praised “the good cooperation” in the fight against illegal immigration, justice, and police.
“Belgium undoubtedly hopes to bolster this joint work in the future, since these issues will surely be among the priorities of the new government,” Quintin stated.
“We clearly have privileged economic ties with Morocco”, the Minister also stressed, noting that ‘Belgian exports of goods to the Kingdom amounted to around €1.3 billion up to October 2024, a growth of almost 15% compared to the same period in 2023’.
Describing this leap as “very positive”, the head of Belgian diplomacy expressed his country’s willingness to further strengthen this momentum, stressing that “trade must be on par with our human and political relations”.
Furthermore, Belgium, notably through its federated authorities and companies, strives to be a leading partner in supporting Morocco’s economic and ecological growth, by contributing to major projects, he added.
In this sense, he underlined the readiness and expertise of Belgian companies to contribute to these major achievements, announcing that numerous thematic economic missions are already planned for the Kingdom in 2025.