"My hope, which is that of the International Community, is that the parties find together a just and mutually acceptable solution" the French president said in an interview with MAP prior to his three-day official visit to Morocco starting Monday afternoon.

He said his country's stance towards this issue "has not changed", and welcomed the two rounds of U.N. led talks between the two parties in June and August in Manhasset (outskirts of New York) in implementation of the Security Council resolution 1754 which mentions clearly the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco to its Southern Provinces, the Sahara.

"The resolution, as you know, makes reference to the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco and which we have described as credible and constructive." Mr. Sarkozy said.

“One should embark on a genuine dialogue to reach a political settlement, the only lasting solution to this painful problem that has lasted too long.” The French president concluded.

The Sahara, a former Spanish colony, was ceded by Spain to Morocco under the 1975 Madrid Accords signed by the former colonial power, Morocco and Mauritania. The Polisario, backed by Morocco’s eastern neighbor Algeria, has ever since claimed independence of the territory.

Mr. Sarkozy’s official visit to Morocco is the first of its kind since he became president in May.

Source  : MAP
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