Switzerland has reiterated the importance of Morocco’s serious and credible efforts aimed at a political solution to the Moroccan Sahara issue, based on compromise, commending “positively” the autonomy plan in the process of settling this issue.
This position was expressed in Rabat on Friday by Swiss Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, who is on a working visit to the Kingdom, at a press briefing following talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita.
“Switzerland recognizes and reiterates the importance of Morocco’s serious and credible efforts to find a peaceful political solution based on compromise,” he said.
Referring to the autonomy plan presented by Morocco to the United Nations General Secretariat on April 11, 2007, Cassis said that “this initiative is a positive point in the process, and we will do everything in our power to facilitate a favorable solution.”
“It’s time for this issue to be settled and to find a solution, because this crisis has been going on for too long,” said Switzerland’s top diplomat.
He also indicated that Switzerland backs the efforts of the United Nations and the central role it plays in the process concerning the Sahara issue, and that it supports a political solution in line with international law and Security Council resolutions.
“I believe we need to find an agreement with the UN representative that can bring the process to a successful conclusion, with flexibility on everyone’s part,” he said.
The president of the Moroccan-Swiss parliamentary friendship group, Khadija Oulbacha, held talks Friday in Rabat with members of a Swiss parliamentary delegation on a working visit to Morocco, on ways of strengthening bilateral relations and identifying new opportunities for cooperation.
Oulbacha stressed that relations between Morocco and Switzerland have always been marked by mutual respect, friendship and cooperation, adding that this visit is likely to further strengthen these remarkable ties.
“The quality of relations between Morocco and Switzerland rests on solid foundations. Our two nations share common values, such as democracy, respect for human rights and the promotion of peace,” she told MAP news agency on this occasion, adding that the two countries are working on many issues of common interest, such as economic cooperation, scientific research and sustainable development.
“Our political and economic exchanges have always been fruitful, as Switzerland is one of Morocco’s most important economic partners, and we greatly appreciate Swiss investment in several sectors of our economy. We also value Swiss expertise in governance, legislation and democracy,” she explained.
She highlighted the role of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening relations between the two countries, welcoming Switzerland’s position on the issue of the Kingdom’s territorial integrity.
For her part, Latifa Chérif, MP and member of the Moroccan-Swiss friendship group, said the meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations based on friendship and fraternity.
“We discussed the various exchanges we could create in the fields of renewable energies and health, as well as the partnerships we could possibly build in the future,” she added.
The Swiss parliamentary delegation is made up of Michel Matter and Benjamin Roduit, two national councillors on a working visit to the Kingdom.
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