Moroccan FM: Sahara Issue Impediment to UMA Process

Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, said the Sahara issue is an impediment to the activation of the Arab Maghreb Union and if it is not settled the UMA construction process will be further delayed.

Benaissa who was interviewed by Saudi daily "Asharq Al Awsat" said it is impossible to imagine economic cooperation and a strong Maghreban entity at a time a neighbor country gives shelter to an armed group that threatens the sovereignty and stability of its neighbor.

He explained that the Polisario, a guerilla movement claiming the independence of the Moroccan Sahara, is based in Algeria which gives them weapons and protection. He insisted that as such, Algeria cannot claim to be "outside the problem." After he stressed that Morocco is keen on opening a new page with Algeria, Benaissa went on that cooperation and exchanges between peoples, governments and institutions are linked to propitious conditions after all difficulties and obstacles are lowered through negotiations and reconciliation.

Morocco, under the leadership of king Mohammed VI, is painstakingly endeavoring to settle these problems, turn past pages and open new perspectives in relations between the UMA countries.

To a question on the UN settlement plan for the Sahara, the head of the Moroccan diplomacy answered the UN security council and secretary general have reached the conclusion that the plan failed and invited parties to seek a negotiated political situation. He explained that Morocco, which seeks a peaceful solution, has notified to the security council its readiness to submit a global approach for a political settlement based on the region specificities, decentralization and Morocco's territorial integrity and sovereignty.