Madrid wants to support its policy change in North Africa with tangible
Morocco-Spain, Politics, 2/3/2005

The Spanish government announced this Wednesday plans to support its policy change in North Africa with "tangible results" particularly in connection with the Sahara issue.

Madrid is currently seeking to support with "tangible results" the change of its foreign policy in Latin America and the Maghreb, particularly regarding the Sahara issue, said minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Miguel Angel Moratinos, at the lower chamber of parliament.

Spain occupied the Sahara, or Moroccan southern provinces until 1975, when Morocco retrieved the territory under the Madrid agreement. An Algeria-backed movement, the Polisario, has since then been laying claims to separate this territory from the rest of the Kingdom.

The head of the Spanish diplomacy who was outlining priorities of the leftist government's diplomacy reiterated its commitment to contribute to the quest of a settlement that is "fair and acceptable" by all parties.

He explained that his country has become an appreciated interlocutor by all parties in the Maghreb and in the Middle East and has, consequently, played an active role in the Sahara conflict.

Moratinos also expressed satisfaction at the improvement of relationships between Morocco and Spain, stressing that trust is built through concrete actions and results.

During his state-visit to Morocco last January, King Juan Carlos of Spain, expressed his country's readiness to help bring positions of the concerned parties in the Sahara issue closer in order to find a consensus-based, fair and final solution to the Sahara issue, stressing that such a solution has "a particular interest" for his country.

Previous Stories:
  Some 2.5 million Euro to improve Morocco's image in Spain   (1/31/2005)
  Media campaign against condemnation of former 'Diario 16' director, Jose Luis Guttierez, denounced   (1/24/2005)
  Spain has particular interest in helping for Sahara settlement, King Juan Carlos   (1/19/2005)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search