In support of autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty, Finland considers the autonomy plan presented to the UN in 2007 as a good basis for a final settlement of the Sahara issue.
Finland has expressed its support for the autonomy plan for the Sahara proposed by Morocco, calling it a good basis for a lasting and final settlement of the conflict.
This position was formalized at the end of a meeting between the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Living Abroad, Nasser Bourita, and the Finnish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Elina Valtonen, in Helsinki.
In a joint statement released on Tuesday, Finland said: “Finland considers the autonomy plan presented in 2007 a serious and credible contribution to the UN-led political process and a good basis for a solution agreed by the parties. The text also reaffirms Finland’s unwavering support for the ongoing political process aimed at achieving a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution.
The communiqué underlines the convergence of views between the two ministers on the importance of the exclusive role of the United Nations in the management of this dossier. They reiterated their support for the resolutions of the UN Security Council and for the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General, whose efforts are considered crucial for the advancement of the process.
Finland’s position comes in the context of growing international support for Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara and for the Moroccan autonomy proposal, an initiative of King Mohammed VI supported by several countries.
MN/ac/sf/lb/GIK/APA