The advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the Moroccan Sahara confirmed that, during the Spanish colonization, legal ties of allegiance existed between the Sultan of Morocco and the tribes living in the territory of the Moroccan Sahara said Mr. El-Khalfi, in an interview broadcast by Middle East Monitor (Memo), a research center based in London on its web site.

Since 2001, the UN called for a political, just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution by the parties, he continued.

Mr. El Khalfi emphasized that before colonization, international agreements with the United States, Great Britain, France and Spain saw the Sahara as part of Morocco historically, legally and socially. The Minister further referred to the two major initiatives launched by Morocco, namely the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty, described by the United Nations and major powers as serious, credible and realistic.

The second major project is the integrated economic model in the southern provinces launched in 2013 with the aim of enhancing natural resources of the region and equitable distribution of profits to local populations.

As for the Arab Maghreb Union, El Khalfi called for the need to revive this union to address the economic, social and cultural challenges faced by citizens, regretting that despite repeated calls from Morocco to reopening border with Algeria, "nothing happened."

On the issue of Jerusalem, the Minister mentioned the 20th Session of Al-Quds Committee, held last January in Marrakech, under the presidency of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Committee.

This session was an opportunity to define a unified vision of Islamic countries and to examine ways and mechanisms to cope with Israeli attempts to Judaize the Holy City of Jerusalem and continue violations affecting the sacredness and sanctity of Al-Aqsa mosque.

It has also been utilized to emphasize the need to strengthen financial support, the minister added, noting the leadership of Sovereign on this issue.

During this interview, the minister tackled the new immigration policy launched in September 2013 by the Kingdom in accordance with the High Royal orientations.

In short, he said, it is a comprehensive new vision of national migration policy, humanist in philosophy, global in its content, responsible in its approach and pioneering at the regional level. The registration process for immigrants, especially sub-Saharan origin, was launched across the Kingdom in this regard, he added that some 8,000 African students study in Morocco and the majority received a scholarship from the Kingdom.

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