Morocco submitted to the UN Security Council in 2007 an autonomy proposal, granting large autonomy to its southern provinces, in a bid to reach a fair, lasting and mutually acceptable peaceful and political solution to the three-decade Sahara conflict.

   The proposal that was described as a serious and credible effort by the UN body, has been winning a worldwide support thanks to its relevance, credibility and realism.

    “To reach such an agreement, the parties must show flexibility and compromise,” he said at the end of the 9th Moroccan-Spanish high-level meeting.

    Expressing his country’s resolve to “actively collaborate with the UN” to help the parties reach a solution to this issue, Zapatero voiced belief that the conclusion of an agreement will resolve other minor problems related to this conflict.

    He deemed “successful” Spain’s 30-year long experience in regionalization and the autonomy system, proposing this experience as an example to follow for other countries.

    Zapatero also announced the convening in 2010 of the first EU-Morocco summit in Madrid under the Spanish rotating presidency of the European Union (EU), noting that his country will endeavor next year to achieve further progress in the process of cooperation between Morocco and Europe, which he described as “extremely important.”
    The EU attaches great importance to its cooperation with Morocco, particularly in development issues, immigration and security, Zapatero pinpointed, stressing that Spain considers a high-priority its relations with Morocco.

    The convening of this summit, according to the Spanish official, is driven by the need to "consolidate the stability perspective in the Sahel and the Maghreb region" and to make a fundamental step within the framework of the Union for the Mediterranean (UPM) and the advanced status granted by the EU to Morocco.

    Zapatero commended Morocco’s support for Barcelona’s bid to host the UPM head office, while Spain voiced support to Morocco’s bid to host the euro-Mediterranean university in the central city of Fez.
Source: MAP
News and events on Western Sahara issue/ Corcas