The Moroccan initiative to grant a substantial autonomy to Sahara is “very constructive” and testifies “the sincere willingness” of the Kingdom to reach a lasting solution to the conflict asserted the Hungarian foreign affairs minister, Kinga Gonz

“ The autonomy proposal shows that Morocco is aware of its responsibilities, and sincerely hope to achieve a final solution”, asserted Mrs Gonz in an  interview given to the  MAP the day before her two day  working visit in Morocco on the 22nd and 23rd of  January following an invitation by her Moroccan counterpart Mr Taieb Fassi Fihri.

“We firmly believe that on this basis that parties could finally achieve a consensus” she underlined, convinced that granting a substantial autonomy to Sahara will not only get out the issue from the dead-end, but equally will enrich the Moroccan constitution with a new democratic contribution.

She underlined that Hungary is in favour of resolving conflicts through peaceful means, political dialogue, and negotiations on the basis of a political settlement agreed by concerned parties, the Hungarian official considers that the international community ought to encourage and help by all means such efforts.

Mrs Gonz, who admits that “the Sahara conflict has lasted for a long time”, and it is  for the interest of the Maghreb region to find “a just and lasting solution”, and to ensure that her country supports efforts made by the UN, and its general secretary with the aim to “finding an acceptable solution for all parties”.

Recalling, in this respect the recent nomination of a new personal envoy of the UN general secretary for the Sahara, Mr Christopher Ross, whom she qualified as “an experienced diplomat”, Mrs Gonz revealed, that he was asked to act in order to find a solution, to the conflict on the basis of the UN security council previous resolutions, particularly resolution 1813.
 According to the Hungarian foreign minister, this obvious definition of the new personal envoy mandate means that the process of Manhasset will carry on.

“Hungary encourages concerned parties to held substantial negotiations within the framework of Manhasset process” pointed out Mrs Gonz 

Hungary “firmly believes on democratic values concerning autonomy initiatives” said the Hungarian official, adding that we can in this respect refer for example to  Europe where autonomy allowed to solve conflicts, sometimes of several centuries and that Hungary is ready to share its experience and lessons taken in central Europe in this matter.

More over the Hungarian official mentioned “the cultural and educational autonomy” granted to ethnic minority living in Hungary, pointing out that her country gives a big importance to the cultural diversity of her country, and the necessity to grant to these minorities legal and constitutional guaranties and even allow to keep their language, their traditions and  culture

Source: MAP
News and events on Western Sahara issue/ Corcas