During a press briefing on Friday in New York, Nasser Bourita, Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Living Abroad, highlighted the significant boost to international support for Morocco's autonomy plan and sovereignty over the Sahara, driven by King Mohammed VI's initiatives. This came as part of Morocco's participation in the high-level week of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. «In recent years, His Majesty the King has spearheaded a movement backing the autonomy initiative, within the framework of national sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the Kingdom, as the sole foundation for resolving the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara», Bourita declared during the press briefing, which took place on the sidelines of the General Assembly session. Bourita noted that this strong wave of support was further reinforced through bilateral meetings held alongside the General Assembly. He pointed to the positions of major powers and influential countries that favor Morocco's national sovereignty and the autonomy plan. In this context, he highlighted the American position, «which encourages investments across the entire Moroccan territory, including the southern provinces», emphasizing that this stance signifies «a pivotal moment that could be seen as economic recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the southern provinces». He also recalled that the King has consistently stated that Morocco cannot engage in partnerships that might compromise its territorial integrity. «This is a new signal, following those from the United Kingdom, France, and other nations, which now view the southern provinces as a development opportunity, a gateway to the African continent, and a means to enhance their partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco», the minister concluded.
