Baerbock affirms from Rabat that there are only “nuances” of difference in relation to Western Sahara
Aug. 25 (EUROPA PRESS) –
Germany and Morocco have considered the open diplomatic crisis buried in 2021 with a symbolic visit to Rabat by the German Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, in which the two countries have agreed to resume their cooperation in all areas and have reaffirmed their support for the Moroccan autonomy plan for Western Sahara.
Rabat called its ambassador in Berlin for consultations in May 2021 in retaliation for the “hostile acts” of the German authorities, including “serious” actions that called into question the Moroccan sovereignty of Western Sahara.
However, with the change of government and the arrival of Olaf Scholz at the chancellery, relations were put back on track, specifically after the German Foreign Ministry recognized the Moroccan autonomy plan for Western Sahara as an “important contribution” to the resolution of the conflict.
This Thursday, Baerbock and his Moroccan counterpart signed a joint statement in which Germany reiterates that the 2007 autonomy plan is “a serious and credible effort” by Morocco, “a good basis for a solution accepted by both parties “.
The message would be one step behind the support given to said plan by the Spanish Government, which sees the initiative promoted by King Mohamed VI as the “most serious, realistic and credible” formula to solve the conflict, putting it before any other.
Baerbock explained that, on the subject of Western Sahara, the vision of Berlin and Rabat differs only in “nuances”, according to the DPA news agency.
Germany and Morocco have taken the opportunity to support the UN mediation, delegated to their envoy Staffan de Mistura, and in which Baerbock sees a way to achieve “a realistic, pragmatic, lasting and mutually accepted political solution by the parties”, according to the joint note.
This declaration, which bears witness to the one signed after a telematic meeting between the two ministers in February this year, comes to recognize that full cooperation is already a reality between Rabat and Berlin and both Burita and Baerbock have spoken of a “new chapter” in relations between the two countries.
Thus, they see room to increase collaboration on issues such as the development of renewable energies, the fight against climate change and security policy. Morocco, says the text, is a “strategic” partner of the European Union.
In relation to the migration issue, the two ministers have pointed out that it is a “common challenge.” The German government has recognized the “efforts” of the Moroccan authorities to combat irregular immigration.
INVITATION TO MOHAMMED VI
Germany’s good words also extend to Mohamed VI himself, whom they have congratulated for a reformist agenda that aspires to achieve “a more open and more dynamic society and economy” in Morocco.
Baerbock has reiterated ‘in situ’ Germany’s willingness to receive the Alaouite monarch, so that he may carry out a state visit with which to seal the “renewed” alliance between two countries that aspire to have from now on “close and of friendship”.
Add Comment