The United Arab Emirates reiterated, in New York, its support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative deeming it "the only basis" for achieving a political solution to the Sahara dispute that preserves Morocco’s territorial integrity.
"The United Arab Emirates supports the autonomy initiative presented by Morocco in 2007 and described as serious and credible by the Security Council," underlined the Emirati representative, Aysha Almenhali, during the ordinary session of the Committee of the UN 24 (C24) which takes place from June 10 to 21.
The diplomat affirmed that for her country, the autonomy plan "is the only basis for achieving a just and lasting political solution to the question of the Moroccan Sahara which is consistent with the United Nations Charter and preserves the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Morocco".
She also stressed that her country reaffirms its "total support" for the sovereignty of the brotherly Kingdom of Morocco over the entire Moroccan Sahara region and welcomes the notable efforts that the Kingdom is deploying for the development of the southern provinces through investments and projects.
The diplomat further renewed the "firm support" of the United Arab Emirates to Morocco in its just causes within regional and international forums to preserve its sovereignty, as well as the security and unity of its lands, adding that her country supports the measures that the Kingdom is taking to defend its legitimate rights.
The speaker welcomed the talks that the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Moroccan Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, had with the parties concerned during his recent regional tour with a view to relaunching the political process.
She further underlined the importance of the constructive commitment of all parties to these efforts in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2703.
