Portugal backs political solution to Sahara issue

Portugal on Thursday said it backs a "negotiated political" solution to the Sahara issue. The standpoint was voiced by Portuguese Premier, Durao Barroso, who underlined that this "negotiated political" solution should be pursued under the aegis of the United Nations.

Barroso -- who co-chaired Thursday in Rabat with Moroccan peer, Driss Jettou, the 7th session of the Moroccan-Portuguese high joint commission-- said his country upholds an "advanced status" for Morocco with the European Union, pledging to do its best to materialize this status that is above association and below membership.