Morocco has made public this afternoon a change in the position of the Government of Spain on Western Sahara, which implies the recognition of the autonomy plan defended by Rabat. According to a message from the Alui Royal House, the chief executive, Pedro Sanchezhas sent a letter to Mohammed VI in which “recognizes the importance of the Sahara issue for Morocco”. For this reason, “Spain considers the Moroccan autonomy initiative, presented in 2007, as the most serious, realistic and credible basis for resolving differences,” the statement said.
Also, according to the same sources, the Executive of Sánchez assumes “the serious and credible efforts of Morocco within the framework of the United Nations to find a mutually acceptable solution”. In his message to Mohamed VI, the President of the Spanish Government also stressed that the “two countries are inextricably linked by affections, history, geography, interests and a shared friendship”. Sánchez said he was “convinced that the destinies of the two peoples are as well” and that “Morocco’s prosperity is linked to that of Spain, and vice versa.”
“Our goal is to build a new relationship, based on transparency and permanent communication, mutual respect and signed agreements. by both parties and refraining from any unilateral action, living up to the importance of everything we share”, he assures.
The information provided this afternoon from Morocco means a historic turn in Spain’s position on the Sahara. Since Spain abandoned this territory in 1975 -it was province 53- it first defended a self-determination referendum, in line with the international position, and later, when this solution lost strength over the years, a negotiated solution between the parties. But never the proposal for an autonomist plan defended by Rabat, which did have the support of USA, France and recently Germany, which has also consummated in recent months the change of its traditional position.
In the letter sent by Sánchez to the Alaouite monarch, our country undertakes to act “with absolute transparency”, as befits a great friend and ally”. This means that Spain will stop hiding its public position and will help Morocco achieve the sovereignty of the Sahara and this territory has its own status in the country.