Belgium recognizes Morocco’s sovereignty over its Southern Provinces and strengthens its partnership with Rabat through renewed diplomatic and economic engagement in the Moroccan Sahara

Speaking before the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives, Mr. Prévot underscored that the Consulate General of Belgium in Rabat carries out its mission throughout Morocco without any regional distinction, including in the Sahara, with regard to consular services and assistance.

He explained that Belgians residing in the Southern Provinces are duly registered and receive the same consular services as their compatriots living in other regions of the Kingdom, adding that Belgian visitors also receive all necessary assistance during their stay in the region.

The Deputy Prime Minister affirmed that he will ensure, in the coming weeks, the full implementation of the commitments made by Belgium under the political agreement signed between the two Kingdoms on October 23. This agreement aims to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in numerous fields.

In this regard, he indicated that he will soon invite the Belgian Ambassador in Rabat to visit the Sahara region in order to prepare or support several economic initiatives, including visits by Belgian companies, the organization of economic forums in Belgium or Morocco, and an economic mission to the Southern Provinces involving Belgium’s three regional agencies.

He also announced the preparation of a governmental visit to Morocco next spring focused on implementing the agreement, noting that, to celebrate Belgian Moroccan relations, “work is underway to organize a high-level State visit, with a royal presence, to Morocco during this legislature”.

Mr. Prévot recalled that the political agreement signed with Morocco in October marks a major milestone in a strategic partnership built on important economic, human and cultural ties, allowing both countries to further explore economic opportunities for Belgian companies in Morocco and for Moroccan companies in Belgium. This dynamic also strengthens dialogue on security issues, the modernization of judicial cooperation, and joint efforts on migration, the fight against organized crime and money laundering.

He reaffirmed Belgium’s support for the Moroccan Autonomy Plan, describing it as “the most appropriate basis” for reaching a solution to the dispute over the Sahara.

He stressed that “the Moroccan Initiative for negotiating an autonomy status for the Sahara region, presented in 2007 and which situates the region within the framework of the Kingdom’s sovereignty and national unity, now constitutes for Belgium the most appropriate, the most serious, the most credible and the most realistic basis for achieving a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions”.

Editorial team/le7tv