Albania backs Morocco’s stand on Sahara, hails royal Atlantic initiatives

Albania endorsed Morocco’s autonomy plan for the Sahara as “serious and credible” and commended the kingdom’s role in promoting regional stability.

This came in a joint statement following talks between Albanian foreign minister Igli Hasani and his Moroccan peer Nasser Bourita.

“Albania recognizes the importance of the western Sahara issue for Morocco as well as the serious and-credible-efforts of Morocco within the framework of the United Nations to find a mutually acceptable solution,” the statement said.

“Albania considers the Moroccan autonomy initiative, presented in 2007, a serious and credible foundation for the resolution of this regional dispute,” it said.

Albania also expressed support for Morocco’s Atlantic initiatives aiming to unlock the commercial potential of the African continent, particularly in the Sahel.

“Albania highlighted and commended Morocco’s role as a regional pole of stability and as relay for growth and development in Africa,” the joint statement said.

Igli Hasani praised the far-reaching reforms undertaken over the past two decades under the leadership of King Mohammed VI and the renewed efforts for political, economic, and social development of Morocco, and welcomed Morocco’s New Development Model.

Morocco, for its part, welcomed Albania’s efforts to join the European Union and the comprehensive transformative reforms undertaken by the Albanian Government towards future membership.

On the same occasion, Morocco lifted visa requirements for Albanian nationals in a move to “enhance tourism, people-to-people exchanges, and strengthen bilateral relations,” the statement said.