The Spanish government reaffirmed its support for Morocco’s autonomy plan in Western Sahara on Monday, February 12, 2024. Minister of Foreign Affairs José Manuel Álvarez responded to a written question from John Iñárritu, a Basque delegate from the EH Bildú party, dated December 14, 2022.
“As Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez emphasized in his speech to the United Nations General Assembly in September 2023, Spain’s position on Western Sahara is fully consistent with international law,” Álvarez said. In his speech, Sánchez called for a “mutually acceptable political solution” but did not mention the “right to self-determination” or the “organization of a referendum” in Western Sahara.
Mr. Álvarez referred to the joint declaration adopted on April 7, 2022 at the meeting between Moroccan King Mohammed VI and Sánchez, and the declaration of February 2, 2023, issued after the 12th high-level meeting between Spain and Spain. He reiterated Spain’s consistent position in line with the above. Rabat, Morocco.
The joint declaration of April 7, 2022 specifically states: “Spain considers the Moroccan autonomy initiative presented in 2007 as the most serious, realistic and reliable basis for resolving this conflict.” It is clearly stated.
This reaffirmation of support came a day after Algeria canceled Alvarez’s planned visit to Algiers.