Morocco's autonomy plan is “most promising” path to resolve Western Sahara dispute peacefully

The government of Maldives is confident that the Moroccan initiative of autonomy plan will be the “most promising” path to resolve the Western Sahara dispute peacefully, says Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid.

Praising the Moroccan Kingdom’s initiative of autonomy plan, the foreign minister, in a video message at the “Virtual Ministerial Conference in Support of the Autonomy Initiative Under Morocco Sovereignty” co-chaired by Morocco and the Unites States of America, stated that Maldives has always supported the position of the Kingdom of Morocco on the Western Sahara.

Further noting that Maldives and Morocco share a “traditionally close” bond of friendship and understanding that dates back for over eight centuries despite the geographic distance between both countries, FM Shahid highlighted that the bond is “multifaceted”.

FM Shahid also stated that Maldives and Morocco have been collaborating closely at multilateral levels, especially in the United Nations on important international issues including the question of Western Sahara.

In this regard, FM Shahid noted that Maldives has constantly advocated for a peaceful resolution of the dispute through negotiations.

In addition, Shahid expressed the Maldivian government’s appreciation of the recent decision of the United States of America to recognize the sovereignty of the kingdom of Morocco, over the entire region of the Western Sahara.