"We support the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco. We hope that this autonomy will allow the Moroccan Sahara to have secure borders across the Sahel," he said in Brussels on Wednesday during a work meeting of the EU-Morocco friendship group, in the presence of the Ambassador of the Kingdom to the European Union, Menouar Alem.

" Autonomy status of the Moroccan Sahara can help resolve the situation in the Sahel," a region where all kinds of trafficking proliferate and where terrorist groups like Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) are active, he said .

Gilles Pargneaux also welcomed the project of regionalization and democratization in Morocco, as well as progress in human rights. In this regard, he stressed that the friendship group plans to organize conferences at the European Parliament on regionalization, Human rights in Morocco and security in the Sahel region.

The European MP said that members of the friendship group will perform November 8 -12 a visit to Morocco to discuss topics of common interest with the Moroccan authorities. He also announced that another economic visit is expected in Morocco December 18 -23, with European entrepreneurs.

Referring to the agricultural agreement between the EU and Morocco, which comes into force on October 1, Gilles Pargeneaux stressed the need to keep track of this agreement "so that we can demonstrate to those who were skeptical at the Parliament it is a good deal for both parties, "he said.

The Moroccan ambassador for his part, emphasized the "important role" played by the Morocco-EU Friendship Group, whose members, who carry out visits on the ground, can provide "objective evidence" on the situation in Morocco, which "can contradict the statements and allegations made by some MEPs or some other organizations."

These MEPs along with other members at the European institutions  messages on the outstanding results achieved by Morocco in politics, human rights, economic and social development, said Mr. Alem in a press statement.

They are especially "impressed" by the frank dialogue of the Moroccan officials and all civil society, "speaking of realities, both positive results, as well as the challenges to overcome," said the Moroccan diplomat.

Since its launch in June 2011, the EU-Morocco friendship group at the European Parliament has held regular meetings, and "has developed a number of activities, to know the reality of the situation in Morocco at the political, economic and social levels, in the light of many reforms under the aegis of His Majesty the King, "said the Moroccan diplomat.

- News and events on Western Sahara issue / Corcas -