Panama deems autonomy initiative only solution to settle Sahara regional dispute
The Panamanian minister also pointed out during a press briefing following the meeting that the autonomy initiative presented by Morocco in 2007 “should be the only solution for the future,” emphasizing his country’s clear support for the autonomy plan as a means to advance toward a lasting resolution of the dispute
Panama has said in a Joint Communiqué that the autonomy initiative proposed by Morocco to be the most serious, credible, and realistic basis for resolving the regional dispute over the Sahara.
The Joint Communiqué was signed on Monday in Rabat, following talks between Panama's Foreign Minister, Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez, who is on a working visit to the Kingdom, and his Moroccan peer Nasser Bourita, reports the North Africa Post.
The Panamanian minister also pointed out during a press briefing following the meeting that the autonomy initiative presented by Morocco in 2007 "should be the only solution for the future," emphasizing his country's clear support for the autonomy plan as a means to advance toward a lasting resolution of the dispute.
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Panama's support for the autonomy initiative comes after its decision to sever all ties with the so-called "SADR" in November 2024.
In the Joint Communiqué, Morocco and Panama reaffirmed their commitment to the sanctity of the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
During the meeting, Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez, handed Bourita a written message from President of Panama José Raul Mulino to King Mohammed VI.
The message reflects the shared will of both Heads of State to strengthen the positive momentum in relations between Morocco and Panama and to elevate them to broader horizons of cooperation and complementarity in the service of the two friendly nations.
In the Joint Communiqué, Panama also hailed the momentum of openness and modernization underway in Morocco, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, and expressed its appreciation for Morocco's pioneering role in Africa, making the Kingdom a credible and valued partner on the international stage, says the North Africa Post.
In this connection, Panama's Foreign Minister commended King Mohammed VI's regional and international leadership, mainly Morocco's role in Africa.
He underlined in this vein a number of key projects spearheaded by the Monarch such as the Royal Initiative aiming to promote stability, security and economic prosperity in Atlantic riparian African countries, the Initiative aiming to facilitate access for Sahel countries to the Atlantic Ocean, and the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline megaproject, all initiatives that reflect Morocco's pioneering commitment to South-South cooperation.
The head of Panamanian diplomacy also praised Morocco's role as a pioneering player in counter-terrorism, fight against organized crime, and preservation of peace and security in Africa.
The two ministers also explored collaboration prospects in the various Atlantic cooperation initiatives and expressed their shared aspiration to make this area a geostrategic framework for concerted action to promote development and guarantee security, solidarity, and understanding between South-South and South-North peoples.
