Malta, latest country to support Morocco's autonomy plan
Malta sees Morocco's 2007 autonomy proposal as a significant and credible addition to the UN-led political process aimed at advancing the process towards a definitive resolution of the Sahara issue. Following his meeting with his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita, the Maltese Minister for Foreign, European and Commercial Affairs, Ian Borg, issued a joint statement setting out his nation's position.
Malta has endorsed Morocco's autonomy plan, calling it a serious and reliable basis for resolving the Western Sahara conflict. Malta calls on all parties to show greater political will for a "final solution" and to join UN efforts in a spirit of "realism and compromise" in the joint statement. Minister Borg stressed Malta's unwavering support for the UN-led process and called for a just, lasting and amicable political solution for all parties involved.
M. Nasser Bourita et son homologue maltais, M. Ian Borg, ont procédé, aujourd’hui à Rabat, à la signature d'un MoU entre l'Académie Marocaine des Etudes Diplomatiques et l'Académie Méditerranéenne des Etudes Diplomatiques de Malte, et ce à l'issue de leur entretien bilatéral. pic.twitter.com/L7hq3okEvv
— Maroc Diplomatie 🇲🇦 (@MarocDiplomatie) June 5, 2023
The two ministers reaffirmed their support for UN Security Council Resolutions 2602 and 2654, which stress the role and responsibility of the parties in the search for a realistic, practical, lasting and mutually amenable political settlement. They also agreed that the UN should be the only institution involved in the political process. a viable response.
Malta thus joins a long list of countries supporting the Moroccan plan. Among them are the United States, Cape Verde, Ukraine, Sierra Leone, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands. All the support received from abroad is nothing more than the consequences of good management and sound policies carried out under the approval of King Mohamed VI and Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch.
At the same time, the Maltese and Moroccan Executives signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on education and energy. The two ministers praised the excellent ties between Malta and Morocco and reaffirmed their shared desire to deepen them. The most important of these included the Moroccan Academy of Diplomatic Studies and the Malta Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies.
Morocco and Malta expressed their desire to increase their cooperation in the fight against unauthorised immigration and human trafficking. Further strengthening their cooperation on return and readmission, the two sides also agreed to address the pressure caused by migration effectively as a shared challenge. The Republic of Malta acknowledges Morocco's efforts in this field, including its leadership in the Rabat Process in 2023 and its efforts to combat illegal immigration.
🇲🇦-🇲🇹| M. Nasser Bourita a reçu, aujourd’hui à Rabat, le ministre des Affaires Etrangères et Européennes et du Commerce de la République de Malte, M. Ian Borg.@MinisterIanBorg pic.twitter.com/CwawQAMeOp
— Maroc Diplomatie 🇲🇦 (@MarocDiplomatie) June 5, 2023
Both Ministers highlighted its dedication to enhancing economic and trade cooperation, especially in the field of renewable energies, as well as its cooperation in the fight against illegal immigration and human trafficking. Moroccan King Mohammed VI's remarkable reforms in a number of areas have made Morocco a reliable partner and a source of stability in the region, which was praised by the Maltese Foreign Minister.
On the other hand, they reaffirmed the importance of this strategic partnership and stressed the importance of the historic and privileged relationship between the Kingdom of Morocco and the European Union (EU). Malta reaffirmed its commitment to support the maintenance and development of this strategic partnership between Morocco and the EU on all fronts. According to the statement, the Republic of Malta 'appreciates the fact that the Kingdom of Morocco is an actor of peace and understanding between nations and has maintained excellent relations with the EU'. The statement emphasised that the two nations are working to further consolidate their ties.
