Prominent Gabonese officials have welcomed Spain's recognition of the autonomy initiative proposed by Morocco as the most serious, realistic and credible solution to the artificial dispute over the Moroccan Sahara.

Other European countries are likely to follow Spain's lead in supporting the Moroccan autonomy initiative in the Sahara, given the Kingdom's geopolitical importance, said former UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Bernard Miyet.

Spain's new position on the Moroccan Sahara issue gives a powerful impetus to the Moroccan autonomy initiative, said the former Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for the Sahara, Erik Jensen.

A number of European political figures have welcomed Spain's recognition of the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco as the most serious, realistic and credible solution to the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara, calling on other European countries to follow suit.

Spanish government's support to Morocco's Autonomy Plan for the Sahara, as being "the most serious, realistic and credible basis" for the settlement of the artificial conflict over the Moroccan Sahara, "falls within the framework of the UN", said Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, on Thursday.