Former President of the Spanish Government, Felipe González, has reaffirmed in New York that the Moroccan autonomy plan is "the best solution" to achieve a final settlement of the regional dispute over the Sahara.

The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States opened, Thursday, a consulate general in Dakhla, marking its firm support to Morocco's sovereignty over its Sahara and its territorial integrity.

The position of the Spanish government in support of the Moroccan autonomy plan, as being "the most serious, realistic and credible basis" for resolving the dispute over the Moroccan Sahara, stems from Spain's "genuine desire" to contribute "actively" to the settlement of this conflict which has lasted too long, said Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated, on Tuesday in Rabat, the United States' position in favor of the Moroccan Autonomy Plan in the southern provinces.

Spain's recognition of the Moroccan autonomy plan as the most realistic and credible basis to achieve a final settlement of the dispute over the Moroccan Sahara is a "positive development", said Monday Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, noting that the Spanish position adds up to other similar positions expressed by many countries.