Britain announces its new position regarding the Western Sahara issue.

The United Kingdom announced today, Sunday, that it considers the Moroccan autonomy plan as the "most credible, realistic, and practical basis for a permanent settlement of the regional conflict over the Western Sahara. This position was stated in a joint statement signed on Sunday in the Moroccan capital Rabat by British Foreign Secretary David Lamy and his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita. The statement said, "The United Kingdom considers the autonomy proposal presented by Morocco in 2007 as the most credible, realistic, and practical basis for a permanent settlement of the conflict... and will continue to work at the bilateral level, especially in the economic field, as well as at the regional and international levels, in line with this position, to support conflict resolution." It confirmed that "the United Kingdom closely monitors the positive dynamics in this regard under the leadership of King Mohammed VI," stating that London "recognizes the importance of the Western Sahara issue for Morocco," indicating that resolving this regional conflict "will enhance the stability of North Africa and re-launch bilateral dynamics and regional integration." According to the statement, the United Kingdom affirmed that "UK Export Finance may consider supporting projects in the Sahara," especially within the framework of "the agency's commitment to mobilize £5 billion to support new economic projects across the country." It is worth noting that "the United Kingdom recognizes Morocco as a key gateway for social and economic development in Africa and reaffirms its commitment to enhancing cooperation with Morocco as a growth partner across the continent," according to the statement. The joint statement signed by the Moroccan and British ministers emphasized that "the two countries support and consider central the role of the process led by the United Nations," while reiterating their "full support for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy, Staffan de Mistura." The United Kingdom also announced that it is "prepared, willing, and determined to provide effective support and commitment to the Personal Envoy and the parties concerned." The joint statement indicated that "as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, the United Kingdom shares Morocco's view on the urgent need to find a solution to this longstanding conflict that serves the interests of the parties." "The time has come to find a solution and make progress on this issue, which will enhance the stability of North Africa and re-launch bilateral dynamics and regional integration," according to the statement. The Moroccan News Agency reported that "this new position of the United Kingdom reinforces the growing international momentum led by King Mohammed VI in favor of the autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty, confirming the credibility of this initiative and the supportive consensus for reaching a final solution to the regional conflict over the Western Sahara."