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Minister Shahid reiterates the call for peaceful resolution of dispute through negotiations at the Virtual Ministerial Conference held in Support of the Autonomy Initiative Under Moroccan Sovereignty

15 January 2021

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives, Abdulla Shahid participated in the “Virtual Ministerial Conference in Support of the Autonomy Initiative Under Moroccan Sovereignty” jointly organized by the Kingdom of Morocco and the United States of America. The virtual meeting held this evening was co-chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates of Morocco, Nasser Bourita and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of State, David Schenker.

In his remarks delivered at the meeting, Minister Shahid stated that the Maldives has always supported the position of Morocco on the Western Sahara and has constantly advocated for a peaceful resolution of the dispute through negotiations.

Highlighting the close bilateral ties with Morocco, Minister Shahid assured that the Maldives will stand by Morocco in their efforts to achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable resolution to the issue of Western Sahara in line with the principles and objectives of the UN Charter. Minister Shahid also welcomed the recent decision of the United States to recognize the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco over the entire region of Western Sahara.

The virtual meeting was also attended by several Foreign Ministers and other senior officials.

ENDS