EU reiterates support for 'political, just, realistic and lasting' solution to Western Sahara issue

The European Union reaffirmed its support for a political solution to the Western Sahara conflict on Thursday in a statement, backing the efforts aiming to solve the dispute under the auspices of the United Nations.

The spokesperson for the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Nabila Massrali said that the “EU’s position is clear, and consists in firmly supporting the efforts of the UN Secretary-General to achieve a just, realistic and lasting political solution.”

The EU, per the EU High Representative/Vice-President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell’ statements endorses “a mutually acceptable solution to the Sahara issue, on the basis of a compromise and in accordance with the resolutions of the UN Security Council, in particular Resolution 2602 of 29 October 2021,” said Massrali.

Reacting to recent statements by the head of European diplomacy to Spanish media, the spokeswoman told Morocco’s national news agency (MAP) that the EU’s position was detailed in the Joint Political Declaration between the EU and Morocco of June 2019.

The joint declaration had taken positive note of the serious and credible efforts led by Morocco as reflected in resolution 2602.

“The EU therefore remains firmly committed to supporting the work of the Personal Representative of the Secretary-General, Staffan de Mistura, and encourages all parties to engage with him for the resumption of the political process,” she added.

The EU official additionally stressed the “importance of preserving the stability of the region through more dialogue and a constructive approach.”

The UN Security Council’s 2602 resolution confirms the “continuum” of the roundtable process – with its modalities and its four participants – Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, and the Polisario – as the “one and only” framework for the settlement of the regional dispute over Western Sahara.

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