.jpeg&w=400) The autonomy plan presented by Morocco is a "serious and credible basis" for negotiations aimed at reaching a final political solution to the Sahara issue, said France on Tuesday at the UN Security Council.
"It is important for the four delegations (Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and Polisario) to continue their discussions in a constructive spirit of compromise with a view to reaching a realistic, pragmatic, just, durable and mutually acceptable political solution, in accordance with the UNSC resolutions, said Deputy Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations Anne Gueguen, following the adoption by the UNSC of Resolution 2468, which extends the mandate of MINURSO by six months.
According to the diplomat, the two previous round-table meetings in Geneva enabled Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and the Polisario to "agree on the special responsibility of the region and the need to develop trust".
"It is necessary to build on these achievements, and I would like to reiterate that France considers the 2007 Moroccan autonomy plan as a serious and credible basis for discussions," Gueguen said.
She also recalled France's "full support" for the work of MINURSO and its Special Representative.
The latest consultations with Special Representative Colin Stewart on April 10 have served as a reminder of the vital role played by this peacekeeping operation to ensure compliance with the ceasefire and contribute to regional stability, she said.
The diplomat emphasized that the return to the normal course of events in Gueguerate, mentioned in the Secretary General's latest report, is the proof of it and will be closely followed.
"In this regard, I wish to commend the outstanding work by the MINURSO teams to ensure calm, reduce the risk of escalation by effectively preventing tensions on the ground and create the necessary conditions for the continuation of the dialogue between Morocco, Polisario, Algeria and Mauritania," said Gueguen.
"I wish to recall France's commitment to returning to MINURSO twelve-month mandate, which must remain the rule and the six-month mandates the exception", she insisted.
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