Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states reaffirmed their steadfast support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara during a meeting in Riyadh on Sunday.
The ministers emphasized the council’s consistent positions and decisions supporting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco, including backing the autonomy initiative as the sole solution within the framework of Morocco’s sovereignty and national unity.
This reaffirmation came after a joint working session at the GCC Secretariat headquarters, where Nasser Bourita, Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates, met with his counterparts from GCC member states.
GCC Secretary-General Jasim Al-Budaiwi reiterated the council’s positions and decisions supporting Morocco’s claim to the Western Sahara, highlighting the importance of the strategic partnership between the GCC and the Kingdom of Morocco.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, currently presiding over the council, stated that the GCC countries firmly support Morocco’s sovereignty over its entire territory, aligning with relevant United Nations resolutions.
The GCC has recently called for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza. Secretary-General Jassem Al-Badiwi urged the international community to end the suffering of the Palestinians and establish a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
This appeal was made during his speech at the high-level segment of the 55th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, where he emphasized the centrality of the Palestinian issue for the Gulf states and demanded an end to the occupation of Palestinian territories.
Al-Badiwi also highlighted the necessity of delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza and criticized the double standards some countries apply to the Palestinian issue.
