In a statement to MAP, Fassi Fihri stressed that "by this resolution, which confirms the resolution adopted last year, the Fourth Committee reconsiders the resolutions it had passed since 1965 on this issue in terms of language, approach and vision. Its provisions are now largely in line with the recent developments of the issue, particularly within the Security Council."

    "Thus, like last year, the resolution no longer refers to the previous UN proposals whose obsolescence has been recognized by the UN," the minister said.

    "It also provides useful clarifications on the principle of self-determination, reaffirming that its frame of reference is multi-faceted and its forms are varied. In fact, the resolution confirms a fact supported by the entire international community, namely that autonomy is a modern form of self-determination in accordance with international law and UN practice," he said.

    "This qualitative development in the position of the General Assembly is a direct and logical consequence of the positive momentum created by the Moroccan autonomy initiative,” Fassi Fihri argued.

   "In fact, he added, the resolution highlights the centrality of the negotiating process, initiated by resolution 1754, adopted by the Security Council in April 2007, thanks to the presentation by the Kingdom of its initiative of autonomy ".

     "In addition, the General Assembly stressed, in particular, the importance of resolution 1813 (April 2008) which supported and consolidated this political process, calling for intensive and substantive negotiations on the basis of realism and the spirit of compromise,” he recalled.

    “Moreover, the member States of the General Assembly confirmed anew that the negotiation process should take into account the serious and credible efforts of the Kingdom of Morocco since 2006 for the elaboration, promotion and presentation of its initiative of autonomy ".

    The minister also recalled that “the resolution reiterates the call on the parties and states in the region to fully cooperate not only with the United Nations, but also with one other to reach a final political solution to this regional dispute.”
Source: MAP
News and events on Western Sahara issue/ Corcas