EU reiterates that its position on the Sahara has not changed after France recognises Moroccan sovereignty

BRUSSELS, Jul 31 () –

The European Union reiterated on Wednesday that its position on Western Sahara has not changed after France announced that it recognises Moroccan sovereignty over the territory as “the only basis for achieving a fair political solution.”

“It is up to each Member State to react according to its own positions. The common position of the European Union on this matter remains unchanged,” said an EU Foreign Affairs spokesperson in statements to Europa Press, after the announcement in Paris.

On Tuesday, Emmanuel Macron declared France’s “clear and constant” support for the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco in 2007, assuring that the objective is a “durable and negotiated solution in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.”

For its part, the EU maintains its common position of supporting the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, and his envoy for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, “to continue the political process aimed at achieving a fair, realistic, pragmatic, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution to the question of Western Sahara”, insisting that the solution must be in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.

Macron’s announcement is a significant step in support of the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara. Earlier this year, Rabat expressed its wish that France would go a step further in its stance and align itself with Spain after Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said in a letter to Mohamed VI in March 2022 that the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara is “the most serious, credible and realistic basis” for a solution to the conflict.