Security Council: United Arab Emirates Reiterates its Constant Support for Morocco and its Sovereignty over Whole of the Sahara
In his statement following Monday’s vote by Council members on resolution 2703 extending MINURSO’s mandate by one year, Mohamed Abushahab, Deputy Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the UN, said that his country “reiterates its constant support for the Kingdom of Morocco and its sovereignty over the whole of the Moroccan Sahara,” rejecting any attack on the Kingdom’s territorial integrity.
In this context, he stressed that the autonomy initiative put forward by Morocco, which the Security Council has described as serious and credible since 2007, is the only basis for achieving a fair, lasting, pragmatic and compromise political solution to the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara.
He expressed his country’s wish to see the United Nations continue its constructive efforts to find a solution “to this situation which has lasted for decades,” with the aim of reinforcing stability and security in a region grappling with a multitude of challenges.
Welcoming the adoption of resolution 2703, the diplomat expressed his country’s thanks to pen-holder the United States and to the members of the Council for their constructive commitment during the negotiations.
He noted that his country had voted in favor of this balanced text, which takes into account the latest developments in the Moroccan Sahara issue, notably the informal bilateral consultations organized by the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for the Sahara, Staffan de Mistura.
He also noted that the new resolution underscores the Security Council’s ongoing support for MINURSO, as well as for the Personal Envoy’s efforts to advance the political process under the aegis of the United Nations.
Stressing the need to continue supporting the Personal Envoy’s efforts to relaunch negotiations, the Emirati diplomat said that the resumption of round-table talks with the participation of all parties would help overcome the political impasse.
Abushahab also deemed it necessary to enable MINURSO to regularly resupply its team sites so that the Mission can effectively implement its mandate, praising Morocco’s cooperation with MINURSO and its commitment to the ceasefire.
He also stressed that the separatist “polisario” militia must cooperate fully with the UN Mission, put an end to all restrictions on its action on the ground and return to the ceasefire.
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