"Morocco's initiative to negotiate an autonomy status in the Sahara region is a sound approach. In Europe we have a rich experience in terms of autonomy to solve problems that seemed difficult, especially in Germany," Klemm said in an interview published Monday by Moroccan daily "Le Matin du Sahara et du Maghreb."

    The diplomat voiced hope that "a solution be found as soon as possible to this issue so that relations between neighbouring countries can be normalized."

    Regarding Moroccan-German relations, Klemm said the two countries have always had close and fruitful relations and that "the Kingdom is among the key partners in Germany's development cooperation programs."

    Moroccan-German intergovernmental negotiations, he went on, were completed in Bonn, last July, by the conclusion of several agreements covering the 2008-2009 period and totalling some € 98.5 mln that Germany granted to Morocco.

    The amount, he said, will be earmarked to the management of water resources, environment and climate change as wells as sustainable economic development.

    As for the Kingdom's request for an advanced status with the European Union, the German diplomat said his country has always supported Morocco and continues to do so.

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