Speaking at a press briefing after his meeting with minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, the Maldivian minister said that his country supports the Moroccan autonomy initiative "as the only political, pragmatic, realistic and sustainable solution to resolve this regional dispute".

Shahid also noted Maldives' support for United Nations efforts as the exclusive framework for resolving this conflict.

For his part, Bourita said that this meeting was an opportunity to express to the Republic of Maldives the recognition of the Kingdom of Morocco for its clear and consistent stances on the issue of the Moroccan Sahara in all international and regional fora.