French President Emmanuel Macron stated in a message on Tuesday that France recognizes the Moroccan proposal for autonomy in the Western Sahara region within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty as the only basis for a lasting solution to the issue.
In a message to King Mohammed VI of Morocco on Morocco’s National Day, Macron said, “For France, autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the framework within which this issue should be resolved.”
President Macron added, “Our support for the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco in 2007 is clear and steadfast.”
Macron emphasized that this plan “now constitutes the sole basis for achieving a fair, sustainable, and negotiated political solution in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions.”
France had previously expressed its “clear and consistent” support for the autonomy proposal during Foreign Minister Stephane Cegorne’s visit to Morocco in February, which helped improve relations between Paris and Rabat.
Macron reiterated that this plan “constitutes the sole basis for achieving a fair, sustainable, and negotiated political solution in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions.”
France’s recognition follows similar acknowledgments from the United States, Spain, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and several Arab and African countries, which have recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara and supported its autonomy plan
