Finland on Tuesday 06 August officially joined the list of EU member states that have so far recognized Morocco's sovereignty over Moroccan Sahara and its Autonomy Plan that Helsinki said represents a “good basis for a solution” to the dispute.
The shift marks Finland as the first Nordic country to officially and explicitly back the Moroccan plan, describing it as the only realistic solution to the lingering territorial dispute over the Sahara.
This position was expressed in a joint statement published Tuesday in Helsinki, following talks between Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, and his Finnish counterpart Elina Valtonen.
“Finland considers the autonomy plan presented in 2007 as a serious and credible contribution to the UN-led political process and as a good basis for a solution agreed upon between the parties,” said the statement, reiterating its support for the “political process aimed at reaching a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution.”
Also, both ministers expressed their common position on the exclusive role of the UN in the political process, reaffirming their support for Security Council resolutions and the support of their respective countries for the efforts of the UN secretary-general’s personal envoy, aimed at advancing this process.
Finland's new position is part of the momentum of international support for Morocco's sovereignty over its Sahara and the Autonomy Plan, under Moroccan sovereignty, backed by many countries, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI in recent years.
Comentarios