Mr. Khalihenna Ould Errachid, member of the Moroccan delegation participating in the negotiations, said before the start of the first meeting of the negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations, that the Moroccan initiative to grant autonomy to the Sahara is the result of lengthy consultations, adding that the international community through the UN Security Council recognized the seriousness and credibility of this initiative.

He said this is a political dispute, considered as such by the United Nations as well, and therefore the parties should begin negotiations to reach consensus.

Mr. Khalihenna Ould Errachid added "We are here today, in good faith to conduct negotiations with our brothers, as well as with the parties concerned," expressing hope that these negotiations will be a prelude to a final settlement to the Sahara issue.

Statement by Mr. Khalihenna Ould Errachid before the start of negotiations:

"The Kingdom of Morocco enters today into these negotiations in good faith to reach agreement to end the Sahara issue. This is what is stipulated in the Resolution 1754, which came with Morocco’s decision to submit autonomy project which introduced new impetus to this issue. We come today to negotiate with our brothers and the parties concerned in good faith and we hope that these negotiations will be a good starting point to end this conflict once and for all " 

"Everyone knows that we accept these negotiations in good faith and without preconditions.  We pray God Almighty to guide us all to reach a proper fair, final and satisfactory response to this issue that undermines our region, blocks many of our hopes and hinders the construction of the Maghreb"

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