Belgium expressed its support on Thursday for the Autonomy Initiative presented by Morocco in 2007, describing it as a framework that places the Sahara region «within the Kingdom's sovereignty and national unity». Brussels also emphasized that it will henceforth align its diplomatic and economic actions with this position. This stance was outlined in a joint statement signed by Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, and Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation, Maxime Prévot, following their meeting in Brussels. Acknowledging «the existential importance of the Sahara issue for Morocco», Belgium considers the 2007 Autonomy Initiative to be «the most appropriate, serious, credible, and realistic basis for achieving a political solution», the statement added. For his part, Bourita welcomed the significant evolution in Belgium's position, calling it «a clear recognition of the realistic and legitimate vision championed by His Majesty King Mohammed VI toward a final settlement of this regional dispute». This new stance fits within the broader international dynamic of support for Morocco's Autonomy Initiative, which has already been endorsed by numerous countries around the world.
