Spain Objects Polisario’s Observer Status

Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs José Manuel Albares opposed the intention of Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro, to include the Polisario as an observer at the latest Ibero-American Summit held in the Dominican Republic.
Albares told the media that the observer status is reserved for internationally-recognized countries.
“Anyone has the right to make statements, but this status is reserved for states duly recognized by the United Nations”, said the Spanish FM, quoted by Europa Press agency.
Petro had suggested granting this status to nations with linguistic and cultural ties linked to the Spanish or Portuguese heritage, including the “Saharan nation” (referring to the Polisario).
The Colombian president resumed ties with Polisario last August after they had been frozen since 2001.