Local government officials said that the cooperation between the two countries showed the commitment of Morocco to fight illegal immigration and emphasized the need to further deepen cooperation in various fields. They called for understanding between Morocco and Algeria. They welcomed the principle of dialogue between Morocco and Polisario and expressed desire to host it.
Members of the Canary Islands government included the following elements:
- Thanks for the desire for future cooperation
- The excellent relations between Spain and Morocco
- Autonomy is positive
- Distinguished relations between Canary Islands and Polisario
- Morocco at the reign of Mohammed VI knows progress and consolidation of democratic values
Here Mr. Ould Errachid raised the following points:
- Autonomy is reconciliation between Sahrawis
- Calling on Polisario to abandon the dogmatic approach and adopt pragmatism
- Contacts with the ruling party and the opposition party
- The solution will be in accordance with international legitimacy and the consent of all parties
The President of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs praised assistance provided by Spanish associations to people in camps, but criticized the exclusion of Sahrawis in the south of Morocco, who represent two-thirds of the Sahrawi population. He called for the opening of non-governmental associations and institutions, in the Canary Islands on the Moroccan civil society in the south. Mr. President refused to transfer the camp population to a commercial asset for the other, forcing them to maintain their own interests. He asked Algeria to help solve this problem.
He then mentioned the following points:
- Polisario’s transformation as the rest of the world from political-military movement (militia) into a political, realistic and pragmatic movement.
- The statu quo harms the interests of the region, including the Canary Islands as the region a hotbed of tension as a reflection of the lack of controls and growth of multiple forms of human smuggling, weapons, drugs and terrorism
Members of the Government of the Canary Islands was composed of:
- José Miguel Leon, presidential and justice adviser in the independent Government of the Canary Islands
- Miguel Becerra Domínguez Vice presidential adviser and spokesman of the independent Government
- Luis Kiijermo Padilla Director-General for relations with Africa in the same government
Source: CORCAS
(News on Western Sahara issue / CORCAS)