The Fórum Canario Saharaui praises the EU's stance in supporting Morocco's autonomy plan for the Sahara

The Fórum Canario Saharaui has issued an official statement expressing its satisfaction with ‘the historic decision by the European Union, which, for the first time, has adopted a common position supporting Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara as the most viable initiative for a definitive and mutually acceptable political solution’.

This position was formally adopted at the 15th session of the EU-Morocco Association Council held in Brussels on 29 January 2026, with the participation of the 27 Member States.

In the joint statement, the EU stresses that ‘genuine autonomy could represent a more viable solution’, as positively highlighted by the Fórum Canario Saharaui.

In addition, the Fórum has pointed out that the Canary Islands is committed to practical cooperation with Morocco in order to continue promoting agreements in all sectors.

The official statement from the Fórum Canario Saharaui is reproduced below:

The Fórum Canario Saharaui welcomes the historic decision by the European Union, which, for the first time, has adopted a common position supporting Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara as the most viable initiative for a definitive and mutually acceptable political solution.

This position was formally adopted at the 15th session of the EU-Morocco Association Council held in Brussels on 29 January 2026, with the participation of the 27 Member States. The agreement was endorsed in a joint statement signed by Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Nasser Bourita, Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs. This position also reflects UN Security Council Resolution 2797 (31 October 2025), which explicitly supports the Moroccan plan.

In the joint statement, the EU stresses that ‘genuine autonomy could represent a more viable solution’ and urges all parties to engage in talks without preconditions. Morocco has demonstrated a willingness in good faith to collaborate with all parties and clarify the modalities of this project within the framework of its sovereignty.

However, once again, the Polisario Front persists in rejecting this constructive approach, perpetuating a position that has led to successive diplomatic setbacks and blocked any realistic negotiation. Since November 2020, it has opted for confrontation rather than dialogue.

The Canary Islands are committed to practical cooperation with Morocco

On another note, this Forum welcomes the recent institutional visit by the President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, to the region of Sus-Masa and its capital, Agadir. This visit exemplifies precisely the paradigm shift mentioned above. The signing of ten cooperation agreements in the business, commercial, academic, scientific and sporting fields shows that, in the case of the Sahara, practical initiatives and shared benefits should also be pursued, rather than sterile rhetoric. It is no coincidence that Clavijo himself officially recognised this proposal for Moroccan autonomy during his previous visit in October 2024.

The Canary Islands are thus positioning themselves as an Atlantic bridge between Europe, Morocco and West Africa, strengthening economic ties, innovation and good neighbourliness. Agreements between Canary Islands universities and Moroccan institutions, as well as agreements on the blue economy, tourism, renewable energy and port cooperation, shape the tangible future of the Sahara under Moroccan autonomy: a space for academic exchange, technological development and shared prosperity.

Clavijo's approach contrasts sharply with the attitude of the Polisario and its protector Algeria, which continue to block any initiative for understanding. While Morocco promotes concrete projects that benefit the region and its inhabitants, the Front persists in a confrontational stance that deprives the Sahrawi population of real opportunities for economic growth and stability.

The Forum reaffirms its conviction that autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the path to regional stability, economic prosperity and lasting peace. The support of the 27 EU Member States and the example of the Canary Islands are unequivocal acknowledgements of the viability of this proposal. We urge the Polisario Front to abandon its anachronistic positions and join a constructive negotiation process under the auspices of the UN.