Sahara.. Austria considers autonomy plan a "serious and credible contribution" to the UN-led political process (Joint Declaration)

Rabat - Austria said it considers the autonomy plan for the Sahara, presented by Morocco in 2007, a "serious and credible contribution" to the UN-led political process as a basis for a mutually acceptable solution.

In a joint declaration issued after a meeting Tuesday in Rabat between Head of Government, Mr. Aziz Akhannouch and Austrian Federal Chancellor, Mr. Karl Nehammer, the two countries affirmed their support for the efforts of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Staffan de Mistura, and his efforts to continue the political process aimed at achieving "a just, lasting, political and mutually acceptable solution", in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions and the objectives and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

 In this context, Morocco commended Austria's desire to continue its valuable support for MINURSO.

Austrian Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer will pay an official visit to Morocco on February 27th and 28th, heading a high-level delegation, at the invitation of Head of Government, Mr. Aziz Akhannouch.

 This visit falls within the framework of celebrating, on February 28, the 240th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, when Mohamed ben Abdelmalek presented his credentials as ambassador of Sultan Moulay Mohammed III to His Majesty Emperor Joseph II on February 28, 1783.