Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have reiterated their support for Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara region and emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and security within the Kingdom of Morocco. The GCC Supreme Council has expressed its backing for the autonomy initiative as the most viable solution to the Sahara conflict, emphasizing that it should be pursued under the umbrella of Morocco’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The reaffirmation of these positions came at the conclusion of a joint working session held at the headquarters of the GCC Secretariat General in Riyadh. The meeting was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, along with the foreign ministers of the GCC member countries.
During the session, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, who chaired the meeting, reiterated the Council’s unwavering support for Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara and its commitment to upholding relevant UN resolutions. The GCC Secretary General also emphasized the Council’s resolutions in support of Morocco’s sovereignty over the disputed region, underscoring the strategic cooperation between the GCC and the Kingdom of Morocco.
The meeting underscored the strong and comprehensive strategic partnership between Morocco and the GCC countries, which was initiated during the Morocco-GCC Summit held in Riyadh on April 20, 2016. The foundations of this partnership were laid by King Mohammed VI and the leaders of the GCC member states, emphasizing the deep-rooted ties between the two regions.
The reaffirmation of support for Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara and the endorsement of the autonomy initiative as the path to resolving the conflict reflect the ongoing solidarity and collaboration between the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and the Kingdom of Morocco. This strategic partnership continues to strengthen, with both sides emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region for the benefit of all parties involved.
