Gambiaj.com – (The Hague, Switzerland) – The Dutch government has declared that “genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the most feasible solution” to resolving the long-standing regional dispute over the Sahara, reaffirming its support for Morocco’s position during high-level talks in The Hague.
The stance was outlined in a Joint Declaration issued on Friday following a meeting between Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, and the Netherlands’ Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Asylum and Migration, David Van Weel.
According to the declaration, the Netherlands welcomed the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2797 and fully endorsed the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy to advance negotiations based on the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative. The goal, it stressed, is to secure a “just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution” in line with relevant UN resolutions.
Beyond the Sahara question, both countries hailed the “unprecedented momentum” in their bilateral relations and agreed to elevate cooperation to the level of a Strategic Partnership. The ministers praised the depth of the partnership, anchored in mutual trust and reciprocal support for each country’s strategic interests.
Bourita and Van Weel highlighted progress in political dialogue and increased high-level exchanges, noting successful implementation of the 2022 Roadmap and the 2021 Action Plan, which is set for renewal in 2026. They reaffirmed commitments to expand collaboration in economic development, agriculture, security, migration, culture and scientific research.
The Joint Declaration emphasized a shared ambition to strengthen economic ties, particularly in trade, investment, renewable energy, green hydrogen, water management, infrastructure and agriculture.
The Netherlands also commended Morocco’s “ambitious reforms” under King Mohammed VI, citing advancements in political, economic and social development through the New Development Model, reform of the Family Code, and efforts to promote advanced regionalization.
Dutch officials further expressed strong interest in Morocco’s Atlantic Initiatives aimed at boosting Africa’s geopolitical and economic integration. These include the Atlantic African States Process Initiative, the Royal Initiative to give Sahel countries access to the Atlantic Ocean, and the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline project.
According to the declaration, these initiatives are designed to transform the African Atlantic space into a geostrategic platform for continental development, stability and shared prosperity.
