"This resolution, which renews the mandate of MINURSO until 30 April 2013, consolidates the parameters of the political solution, supports the negotiation process as the only way of settlement, reinforces the innovative approaches and brings essential clarifications regarding the human dimension of this regional dispute," said a statement from Moroccan Foreign Ministry.

MINURSO will carry out their same duties until April 2013

Through this resolution, Security Council "strongly confirms the basic directives for the settlement of this regional dispute and unequivocally reaffirms its commitment to the guidelines it has drawn in recent years to achieve a compromise political solution."

"The pre-eminence of the Moroccan autonomy initiative has been also reiterated, the cardinal principles of realism and a spirit of compromise has been again underlined, and the involvement of neighboring countries in search of the solution again requested," the ministry said.

 Similarly, the resolution reflects the determination of the international community to promote responsible and sincere commitment of all parties to intensive and substantial negotiations and to avoid deadlock and maneuvering strategies.

Despite attempts to divert the mandate of MINURSO or modify its functions, the Security Council was keen to further strengthen the process of negotiations as the only way to reach a final settlement to this regional dispute, said the same source, explaining that "in particular, the Council calls for the intensification of the pace of meetings and on a more substantial to the debate away from entrenched positions and obsolete approaches."

 The Council also encourages the continued implementation of innovative approaches, particularly through the holding of thematic debates, or greater involvement of legitimate representatives of the population of the southern provinces in search of the solution.

 
Resolution 2044 (2012) "encourages the parties to accelerate the pace of talks and invited neighboring states to increase their commitment to move towards a negotiated and realistic political solution," recalled the ambassador, adding that "these are elements that we support and we are committed to implement."

   Moreover, the new resolution "reaffirms the importance and pre-eminence of the autonomy initiative proposed by Morocco and welcomes the efforts of the Kingdom since 2006, "voicing the Kingdom's commitment to this initiative as a "negotiating framework for a mutually acceptable solution."

   Morocco has voted for the resolution because the mandate of MINURSO is extremely important and well suited to the efforts implemented by the U.N., the diplomat said, noting that this mandate ensures "the continuation of the cease-fire, support to the process of negotiations led by the U.N. Secretary-General's Personal Envoy, Christopher Ross, and facilitate the implementation of confidence-building measures."

   The Security Council has "correctly declined for the third consecutive year, to respond to attempts to expand this mandate in order to infiltrate the elements that have nothing to do with the functions or the nature of the Mission," stressing that, therefore, "the Council, by confirming the original mandate, calls on MINURSO to stick to the current agreements."

Kingdom of Morocco satisfied with the New UN Rsolution 2044

News and events concerning Western Sahara issue/ Corcas