Belgium considers Morocco’s 2007 Autonomy Plan a “serious and credible” effort and a strong foundation for a mutually accepted solution for the Moroccan Sahara dispute, Belgian Foreign Minister Bernard Quintin said on Wednesday in Rabat.
After meeting with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, Quintin said he gained an understanding of the Autonomy Plan’s significance for the nation, Morocco’s Press Agency (MAP) reported. “This discussion allowed me to grasp the ins and outs of the Autonomy Plan and to appreciate the existential nature of this issue for Morocco,” he said.
He acknowledged shifts in international positions, noting that “some key European and international partners have evolved in their stance.” Belgium and Morocco, he added, will continue their constructive dialogue on the matter.
Quintin reaffirmed Belgium’s full support for the United Nations-led process toward a political, just, durable, and mutually acceptable solution. He highlighted the UN’s exclusive role in the political process and backed UN Security Council Resolution 2703, which recognizes the responsibility of all parties in seeking a realistic, pragmatic, and compromise-based resolution.
In a joint statement following the meeting between the two diplomats, Belgium commended the royal initiative to facilitate access for Sahel countries to the Atlantic Ocean.
Belgium also highlighted Morocco’s role as a vital, reliable partner and a key player in enhancing regional stability and cooperation.