Sahara: Burundi reaffirms support for Morocco’s territorial integrity, autonomy plan
Burundi reaffirmed, on Wednesday in Rabat, its commitment to the principle of Morocco’s territorial integrity, while considering the autonomy plan as “the basis for achieving a sustainable, pragmatic and realistic solution” to the dispute over the Moroccan Sahara.
This position was expressed in a joint statement issued after a meeting in Rabat between the Burundian and Moroccan Foreign Ministers Albert Shingiro and Nasser Bourita.
Shingiro “reaffirmed the commitment of the Republic of Burundi to the principle of territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco,” the statement says, adding that “the Republic of Burundi considers the autonomy initiative, in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council, as the basis for achieving a sustainable, pragmatic and realistic solution based on compromise.”
The Burundian minister also reaffirmed his country’s support for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy to relaunch the political process on the basis of the UN Security Council resolutions, the statement notes, adding that the two parties “are committed to supporting each other on the major issues concerning their fundamental interests.”
During a press briefing held after the talks between Bourita and Shingiro, the Burundian minister explained that for his country, “the principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty and national unity are principles that highlight the shared values between us and Morocco but also with other nations.”
During their talks, the two officials commended the “exemplary character” that marks the two countries’ relations and reaffirmed their commitment to make every effort to “develop, intensify and diversify” an ambitious and fruitful economic cooperation in various sectors, including agriculture, energy, vocational training, infrastructure, health, public finance and mining, the joint statement notes.
In this regard, the two ministers stressed the important role that should be played by the Moroccan and Burundian private sectors in boosting cooperation relations, given the mutually beneficial economic potential of the two countries. They called in this vein on economic operators and investors of both countries to seize the opportunities offered in various economic sectors.
The talks highlighted by the signing of two agreements, concerning the creation of a Joint Cooperation Commission; and the exemption of visas for holders of diplomatic, service and special passports.
