European Union voices full support to UN settlement plan in the Sahara
Morocco-European Union, Politics, 6/22/1999

The European Union expressed on Monday full support for the UN settlement plan on the Sahara providing for a free, fair and neutral referendum.

The European Union expressed, in a statement, satisfaction at the agreement reached after six months of consultations on the UN secretary general's proposals on the subsequent stages for the implementation of the settlement plan. The EU's member countries also hoped that these proposals will be carried out without delay in conformity with the plan.

The Union called the two parties (Morocco and the Algerian-backed Polisario separatist movement) to cooperate fully to the identification process of participants in the referendum that the United Nations plans to hold in July 2000. They also supported newly-appointed UN secretary general's special representative, William Eagleton, his new assistant, Robin Kinloch and the new chairman of the identification commission.

The statement also deemed that the return of refugees, in accordance with the principles of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, will be a decisive element in the settlement process and welcomed the continuation of discussions between the two parties and the HCR, hoping that the discussions will lead to a rapid return of the refugees.

Previous Stories:
  U.N. resumes today identification of Sahara referendum would-be voters   (6/15/1999)
  New Sahara Identification Commission Chairman Takes up Office   (6/12/1999)
  Canadian jurists meet Moroccan Sahrawis in southern Morocco   (6/12/1999)
  Issue of Sebta, Melillia officially raised at latest meeting of Moroccan-Spanish high joint commission   (6/10/1999)

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