Poland supports UN resolutions for referendum in the Sahara
Morocco-Poland, Politics, 11/11/1998

Poland supports UN resolutions for the holding of a referendum in the Sahara, in the respect of "criteria set for the census and identification of potential voters," said here Tuesday Poland's ambassador to Morocco, Piotr Szymanowski.

In a press conference he gave on the occasion of his country's National Day, the Polish diplomat said that his country supports in a clear and unequivocal manner the United Nations decision made with Morocco's approval for the holding of a referendum in the Sahara.

He expressed wish that this issue will be settled the soonest possible, in the respect of the census and identification criteria of potential participants.

He also wished that Kofi Annan's present tour in the region will contribute to speeding up the referendum process. "I hope that Annan's visit in Morocco and his talks with Moroccan officials will lead to concrete results, mainly regarding procedures that will end the stalemate in the process."

He added that his country appreciates the role of Morocco and its king for stability in the Mediterranean region and efforts for peace in the Middle East, adding that his country is following with keen interest and esteem "the great democratization process" in Morocco.

As to bilateral cooperation, the diplomat said his country is resolved to consolidate its cooperation with Morocco in all fields, especially that the two countries' economies are complementary.

He went on that Morocco, which is Poland's first partner in Africa and the Arab world, has a good geographic location that represents an excellent asset for the consolidation of cooperation and friendship links with European partners.

He further stressed that it is important to open a direct airline between the two countries to facilitate contacts between Moroccan and Polish businessmen.

In july 1999, Morocco and Poland will mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, he said describing this occasion as an opportunity to draw the balance sheet of bilateral relations and hold various promotional activities.

He announced that the Polish prime minister will visit Morocco shortly, calling businessmen of the two countries to make more efforts to give a new impetus to Moroccan-Polish relationships.

In 1993, the two countries granted each other the clause of the most favored nation under a trade accord. As a result, the value of trade between the two countries more than doubled between 1992, where it was worth usd 45.2 million, and 1997 where it stood at usd 120.2 million.

Morocco and Poland mainly exchange chemical, steel, agro-food and textile goods.

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