Moldova backs the Moroccan plan for the Sahara as ‘the most credible basis’ for a lasting solution
- France and Estonia ratify their support for the Rabat plan
- Morocco and Moldova sign five agreements to strengthen strategic cooperation
In a clear show of diplomatic support, Moldova has expressed its firm support for the autonomy plan presented by Morocco as ‘the most serious, realistic and credible basis’ for reaching a definitive solution to the Western Sahara conflict. This position was formalised through a joint declaration following a meeting between the Moldovan Foreign Minister, Mihai Popșoi, and his Moroccan counterpart, Naser Bourita, during an official visit to Rabat.
Likewise, the Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs underlined its support for Morocco's ‘sincere efforts’ to resolve this long-standing regional dispute, emphasising the importance of reaching a ‘just, pragmatic, lasting and mutually acceptable’ political solution within the framework of the United Nations-led process.
In this regard, both ministers reaffirmed their support for UN Security Council Resolution 2756 (2024), which emphasises the need for a political solution based on compromise between the parties. Likewise, Bourita and Popșoi agreed on the central and exclusive role of the UN in the mediation process, and expressed their support for the personal envoy of the UN Secretary General, Staffan de Mistura, urging continued progress towards a viable solution.
From New York, the Moroccan ambassador to the UN, Omar Hilale, emphasised on Medi1TV that more than 110 countries already support Rabat's position, and assured that ‘the United States is determined to close the Western Sahara file’. He added that he is confident that ‘we will celebrate the definitive end of this conflict on the 50th anniversary of the Green March together with our Algerian neighbours’ in November this year.
In the same vein, Staffan de Mistura urged that advantage be taken of the ‘unprecedented momentum’ around the negotiation process, mentioning statements by the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, who called on the parties ‘to engage in talks without delay, using Morocco's autonomy proposal as the only frame of reference’.
France and Estonia ratify their support for the Rabat plan
The day was also marked by similar declarations of support from France and Estonia. In Tallinn, the Estonian Foreign Minister, Margus Tsahkna, described the Moroccan proposal as a ‘serious and credible basis’ for resolving the conflict, during the historic first visit of a Moroccan Foreign Minister to the Baltic country.
For its part, France reiterated its support for Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara following a meeting between Bourita and French Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed that its position is ‘unchanging’, in line with the statement of President Emmanuel Macron in 2024, who affirmed that ‘the present and the future of the region lie in Moroccan sovereignty’.
Morocco and Moldova sign five agreements to strengthen strategic cooperation
In addition to supporting Rabat's plan for Western Sahara, Minister Popșoi's visit to Rabat also represented a turning point in bilateral relations, with the signing of five key agreements that strengthen the framework of cooperation between Morocco and Moldova: Memorandum of Political Consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, to promote continuous diplomatic dialogue; Economic Diplomacy Agreement, aimed at boosting trade and investment between the two nations; Exchange between Diplomatic Institutes, to strengthen institutional ties and mutual training; Reciprocal visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, service and special passports; and Memorandum of Cultural Cooperation, which establishes the basis for greater understanding and collaboration between their peoples.
The ministers emphasised the excellent state of bilateral relations and committed to intensifying the partnership in strategic sectors such as agriculture, fertilisers, energy, industrial subcontracting, digital technology and cybersecurity. They also agreed to create a joint business forum, focused on high-potential sectors.
For his part, Popșoi described Morocco as ‘a centre of regional stability and a catalyst for growth in Africa’, while Bourita expressed his firm support for Moldova's European aspirations and its institutional reform efforts.
Both countries reaffirmed their willingness to hold regular consultations and coordinate positions in international organisations to promote common interests, and also committed themselves to playing a constructive role in favour of peace, stability and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.