Albares describes prolonging the deadlock over Western Sahara as ‘senseless’
The Spanish Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, has reiterated the Spanish Government's position on the Western Sahara conflict, emphasising the urgency of finding a solution to prevent the current stalemate from dragging on indefinitely. In an interview with the programme La Cafetera on Radiocable, Albares stated that there has been no change in position, but rather a determination not to allow a situation that has been deadlocked for 50 years to continue for another five decades.
During the interview, the minister emphasised his support for the United Nations special envoy for Western Sahara, Staffan De Mistura, with whom he has held several meetings. ‘I am the minister who has had the opportunity to meet Staffan De Mistura on more occasions than any other world leader. He has our full material, diplomatic and political support to act as he deems necessary,’ Albares declared.
However, the head of Spanish diplomacy made it clear that the final solution must be proposed by the UN special envoy and accepted by the parties involved. ‘He has to put the solution on the table and make sure a consensus is reached,’ he added.
The minister also harshly criticised those who prefer to keep the conflict in a state of inaction. ‘I find it enormously irresponsible that someone should base themselves on supposed principles to keep a situation like this frozen for another hundred years, two hundred years, a century, two centuries,’ he said.
Relationship between Spain and Morocco
Albares also addressed the bilateral relationship between Spain and Morocco, highlighting the ‘very important interests’ that unite both nations. Among them, he mentioned cooperation in the fight against terrorism and the fight against mafias dedicated to human trafficking. According to the minister, the Spanish-Moroccan relationship is one of the most solid in the world, surpassed only by those of the United States and the United Kingdom.
With regard to the letter sent in March 2022 by President of the Government Pedro Sánchez to King Mohammed VI, Albares recalled that the Spanish government's position on the Sahara is clearly set out in the Spanish-Moroccan declaration and has been presented on multiple occasions to Congress.
Finally, Albares emphasised the joint organisation of the 2030 World Cup as an opportunity to further strengthen the ties between Spain and Morocco, consolidating a relationship of collaboration and mutual understanding.