Finland backs Moroccan autonomy plan for Sahara in an international momentum on the move

Finland became the latest country and the first Nordic country to formally support the autonomy proposal under Moroccan sovereignty as a solution to the Sahara conflict.

This came in a joint statement following talks in Helsinki between Finnish   FM Elina Valtonen and her Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita.

“Finland considers the autonomy plan presented in 2007 as a serious and credible contribution to the UN-led political process and as a good basis for a solution agreed upon between the parties,” the statement said.

Echoing the UN language, Finland urged progress towards a “political process aimed at reaching a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution”.

In this respect, Finland stressed the exclusivity of the UN process as a framework to settle the dispute, while reaffirming support for UN security Council resolutions and the efforts of the UN envoy for the Sahara.

Finland’s new position is a state position, involving all spheres of the state, within the executive and legislative branches. It was made in consultation with the President and following consultations at the Government level and at the level of the Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee.

This new position actually marks a substantial evolution compared to the country’s former stand, which consisted in supporting the efforts of the United Nations.

Finland’s support for the autonomy plan is part of an international momentum in favor of a solution to the Sahara conflict within the framework of Morocco’s sovereignty. It came a few days after France clearly expressed support for the autonomy plan for the Sahara under Morocco’s Sovereignty and said autonomy was “the only basis” to end the conflict.

It is also part of the momentum within the European Union, Finland becoming the 17th EU member state to support autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty.

In the joint statement, Finland also stressed that as a stable country, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, Morocco has reinforced its position as a key regional player.

Finland recognized Morocco’s key position as a gateway between Africa and Europe, its important role in the EU-Africa partnership at large, as well as its decisive contribution to the enhancement of regional cooperation and stability in the region, the fight against terrorism and cooperation on cross-border migration management, adds the statement.