Papua New Guinea highlighted, before the 4th Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, the growing international support for the Autonomy plan presented by Morocco to settle once and for all the regional dispute over the Sahara.
“It is indeed pleasing to note the growing international support for this credible compromise proposal, and we are encouraged by such support that will lend to assisting all relevant stakeholders in this dispute to find an amicable, lasting and peaceful solution”, Papua New Guinea Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Fred Sarufa, stressed.
He also said that his country applauds and encourages the “impressive” sustainable development efforts Morocco is undertaking in the southern provinces, adding that this dynamic is improving the lives and livelihoods of the people of the region.
The diplomat further voiced his country’s support to the ongoing political process, held under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary-General and the facilitation of his Personal Envoy Staffan de Mistura, to achieve a mutually acceptable and negotiated durable political settlement involving all relevant parties.
In this regard, he welcomed the UNSG Personal Envoy’s visits to Morocco, including to the cities of Laâyoune and Dakhla, as well as to Algeria and Mauritania.
Calling for the maintaining of this “momentum”, the speaker underlined that his country encourages and supports efforts to resume the “important” Roundtable process and build on the “successful” rounds held previously in Geneva.
“This should be based on practical realities and a spirit of good faith and negotiated compromise, as articulated by Morocco’s meritorious Autonomy Initiative” and further inspired by the UN Charter and the relevant 18 Security Council resolutions adopted since 2007.