Morocco: Ukraine Supports Autonomy in Western Sahara

The foreign ministers of Morocco and Ukraine discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations between the two countries, particularly in the security and economic fields, during a meeting in Rabat on Monday. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, visiting Morocco for work, stated in a joint press conference with his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita, "Both Ukraine and Morocco recognize the value of sovereignty and territorial integrity for both countries." He added that Ukraine supports Morocco's proposed autonomy plan to resolve the Western Sahara conflict, which dates back to 1976, making it the oldest conflict in Africa. Morocco proposed a plan in which the region would receive autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty, a proposal rejected by the Polisario Front, the party in conflict with Morocco, as well as its ally Algeria. The foreign ministers of both countries also agreed to continue coordinating in the field of security, organized crime, and particularly to strengthen the agricultural sector.