The meeting, held under the auspices of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the presence of delegations from Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and Polisario, enabled to review issues related to family visits and apolitical and seminars to examine ways to improve the process, he told MAP.

The Moroccan delegation was led by Mr. Bourita, included. Hilale Omar, Ambassador Permanent Representative of Morocco in Geneva and El Arbi Mrabet governor in charge of coordination with MINURSO, as well as representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and the Interior.

The Secretary-General stressed that "improvements have been made to the conduct of these two activities," indicating that a number of difficulties have been identified during the meeting. These difficulties, he said, "are particularly related to political manipulation of family visits and some acts contrary to the spirit and humanitarian nature of the program."

Noting that the commitment of Morocco for this program comes from the human dimension of the artificial conflict over the Moroccan Sahara, Mr. Bourita explained that this is primarily to enable people to see their families in Tindouf in the southern provinces and loosen the stranglehold imposed on them in camps in Algeria.

Morocco, he said, is committed to the program of confidence-building measures is preserved as an apolitical and humanitarian activity primarily intended for people in camps.

This is an action that is part of the overall mandate of UNHCR, articulated around the protection and assistance in a sustainable solution mandate, he added. "This is why we assume a number of prerequisites, especially the census of the population in accordance with international conventions, standards and practices of UNHCR," noted Mr. Bourita. The Moroccan delegation insisted that all stakeholders take responsibility for the implementation of this program, he said, insisting that "all parties have a responsibility to ensure the success of this humanitarian activity."

Following this meeting, Mr. Nasser Bourita and Ambassador Permanent Representative of Morocco to the UN in Geneva, Omar Hilale, held a working meeting with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres.

- News and events on Western Sahara issue/ Corcas -