The minister told Al-Zazeera satellite TV channel that Morocco put forward a proposal to distinguish between the Sahara issue, to which it endeavours to reach a UN-sponsored solution, and the development of relations with Algeria.

    He deplored the fact that the Algerian government, which denies a link between the two issues, has over the past months put conditions for the normalisation of bilateral relations.

    Morocco has constantly expressed its will to examine all pending issues with Algeria, including trafficking which can only be addressed through the opening of borders, he said.

    The official added that the kingdom considers the Arab Maghreb Union a decisive issue, a strategic and economic necessity and a people’s demand.     

     On the latest developments in the Moroccan Sahara issue in light of Morocco’s autonomy initiative, Fassi Fihri stressed that the kingdom’s offer constitutes a basis for negotiations over the delegation of certain political, electoral, legal, security prerogatives or those related to the exploitation of resources to a local authority, under Morocco’s sovereignty and in respect for the international legality.

    The minister, who said the autonomy is not “an easy step” for lack of previous experiences in the region, insisted that Morocco of the 21st century is ready to embark on such a step to overcome the three-decade impasse.

    The autonomy initiative is in line with the international community’s urging towards a final and mutually acceptable settlement of this issue, he said.

     On the severing of relations with Iran, the minister said the latter bears full responsibility, adding that it is a pure and simple bilateral issue and has nothing to do with any international campaign against Iran.

Source: MAP
News and events concerning Western Sahara issue/ Corcas