Portugal supports Morocco's autonomy plan for the Sahara

The Portuguese government has joined the growing list of countries that have decided to support the proposal for autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty for the Sahara. The High Level Meeting (HLM) held between Portugal and Morocco has achieved great progress in relations between the two countries, the most important decision being that of supporting the Moroccan resolution on the Saharawi issue.

The final declaration published by the Portuguese authorities states that 'the two governments agreed on the exclusivity of the UN in the political process and reaffirmed their support for UN Security Council Resolution 2654, which emphasised the role and responsibility of the parties in the search for a realistic, pragmatic, lasting and compromise political solution'. Portugal also "reiterates its support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative, presented in 2007, which it considers a realistic, serious and credible solution proposal agreed within the framework of the United Nations". 

The HLM, which began last Friday in Lisbon, was marked by a meeting between the Moroccan President, Aziz Akhannouch, and the Portuguese Prime Minister, António Costa. This led to the signing of 12 agreements covering different strategic areas, established in order to strengthen their bilateral cooperation. The dozen agreements focus on the economic, energy, cultural, higher education, crafts, social solidarity and justice fields. Signed by the Kingdom's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, and his Portuguese counterpart, Joao Gomes Cravinho, it also aims to improve cooperation between the governments in the field of civil protection.

The rapprochement between the Portuguese and Moroccan administrations has led to a broad strengthening of ties at all levels. In the cultural field, the two countries signed a programme for the implementation of the cultural and scientific agreement for the years 2023 and 2024. This memorandum establishes a general framework for cooperation in the fields of "language, education, scientific and technological research, culture, communication, sport and youth". In this way, the HLM between Portugal and Morocco has brought important results for both parties and the confirmation, once again, that the proposal for autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty of the Sahara is the path increasingly supported by Europe for the resolution of the historic Saharawi issue.