UK looks to deepen economic ties with Morocco after Sahara stance

The UK has endorsed Morocco’s autonomy plan as the most credible basis to resolve the Sahara issue,as it also looks to deepen economic ties with Morocco,building on 800 years of relations.

The United Kingdom has opened a “new era” in its ties with Morocco with the recognition of the autonomy plan for the Sahara “as the most credible,viable and pragmatic basis for a lasting resolution of the dispute,” British foreign secretary David Lammy said,during the first such visit since 2011.

With this position the UK becomes the fourth country in the Sahara friendship group to back the Moroccan position,after Spain,the US and France.

The UK’s position is also a “watershed”,given its status as a permanent member in the UN security council,Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said,urging the UN to take into account the momentum in favor of the autonomy plan and the backing it has been receiving.

The UK and Morocco are now poised to build on this momentum to promote regional peace and security by accelerating a solution to a conflict that has long-lasted.

The two countries also eye closer cooperation in areas ranging from higher education,to climate,energy,healthcare,defense,procurement and infrastructure,a joint statement said.

Bourita said the UK’s new position on the Sahara will have economic dimensions with projects in trade and investments being considered in the southern provinces,the Sahara.

“The UK can consider supporting projects in Western Sahara subject to meeting UKEF’s due diligence requirements,” the two countries said in a joint statement co-signed by Bourita and Lammy.

“The UK recognizes Morocco as a key gateway to Africa’s socio-economic development and reaffirms its commitment to deepening engagement with Morocco as a partner for growth across the continent,” it said.

In this respect,the UK backed Morocco’s initiative to help landlocked Sahel states access global trade through the Atlantic.