Parties to Western Sahara conflict
conclude informal talks in New York
The parties
to the Western Sahara dispute, Morocco and the Frente Polisario, have concluded
another round of United Nations-backed informal talks in New York during which
they continued to deepen their discussions on the issue of the electoral corps
and mechanisms for self-determination.
The UN has
been involved in efforts to find a settlement in Western Sahara since 1976,
when fighting broke out between Morocco and the Frente Polisario after the
Spanish colonial administration of the territory ended.
“In order
to find a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, which will
provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara […] the
parties continued to deepen their discussions on the two proposals, including
the issue of the electoral corps, mechanisms for self-determination, and the
forms of guarantees,” said a statement issued by the office of the
Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Western Sahara, Christopher
Ross, following the meeting on 19-21 July.
“By the end
of the meeting, each party continued to reject the proposal of the other as the
sole basis for future negotiations, while reiterating their willingness to work
together to reach a political solution in conformity with the pertinent
resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.”
Delegations
from the neighbouring States, Algeria and Mauritania, were also present at the
opening and closing sessions, and during the discussion of the
confidence-building measures, according to the statement.
Discussions
took place in an atmosphere of serious engagement, frankness, and mutual
respect, it added. Both parties explored the means of including respected
representatives from a wide cross-section of the population of Western Sahara
in the negotiating process. They also began discussing themes associated with
governance, such as education, environment and health, without prejudice to the
final status of the territory.
The parties
took note of the report of the latest technical mission of the UN Mine Action
Service (UNMAS), and began a preliminary discussion on the theme of natural resources,
in the framework of discussion proposed by the UN.
On
confidence-building measures, the parties and the neighbouring States
reiterated their support for the proper implementation of the 2004 plan of
action and for family visits by road. They also confirmed their intention to
participate in the seminar to be organised by the Office of the UN High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Madeira, Portugal in September, and in the
next evaluation meeting with UNHCR in Geneva in October.
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