Azzeddine Farhane: Resolution 2797 defines autonomy as the sole basis for resolving the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara under the sovereignty of the Kingdom

“I would like to recall that Security Council Resolution 2797, adopted on 31 October 2025, clearly and explicitly reaffirmed the parameters of the political solution to the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara and defined the autonomy initiative proposed by Morocco as the only and exclusive basis for negotiations within the framework of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom,” Mr. Farhane stated in an address before the 32nd Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

The Ambassador explained that this resolution called on all concerned parties, particularly Algeria, to engage in the negotiation process under the auspices of the United Nations in order to reach a final settlement of the dispute, in respect of Morocco’s sovereignty.

Mr. Farhane also highlighted that Morocco’s adherence to the principles of the Helsinki Final Act, along with its long-standing and consistent commitment to strengthening Mediterranean partnership with the OSCE, are considerations “that compel us to underscore the geostrategic dimension of the Mediterranean region and the need to encourage contributions to international efforts aimed at maintaining peace and international security, within the framework of respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of States.”

In this context, he stressed that Morocco has always worked to strengthen mutual trust by prioritizing dialogue, negotiation and cooperation to find realistic and lasting solutions within its Euro-Mediterranean relations.

“We are convinced that this partnership would benefit from being elevated into a true strategic alliance rather than a simple geographical neighbourhood platform, in order to generate new ideas capable of promoting dialogue, increasing mutual trust, strengthening cooperation and ultimately consolidating peace in the Euro-Mediterranean space,” he said.

Morocco has consistently emphasized that “the involvement of all actors” must lie at the heart of this cooperation in order to resolve regional disputes through dialogue and negotiation, and in a spirit of realism and compromise. The goal, he noted, is to address new shared challenges and emerging threats such as separatism, terrorism, transnational crime, human trafficking and climate change.

He also acknowledged that “the OSCE is unfortunately confronted with an unprecedented climate of tension,” especially in the Middle East.

In this regard, he stated that Morocco, faithful to its commitment to peace, continues to work to promote peaceful solutions, foster rapprochement between concerned parties and support international initiatives aimed at establishing lasting and harmonious coexistence in the Middle East.

As part of this commitment, he recalled the message addressed by His Majesty King Mohammed VI on 26 November to the Chair of the United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, in which the King reaffirmed “the firm and constant commitment of the Kingdom of Morocco to the Palestinian cause, contributing constructively and effectively to efforts to achieve a just solution to this issue, considered the cornerstone for establishing peace and stability in the Middle East.”

The Ambassador stressed that Morocco remains convinced that lasting peace in the Middle East inevitably requires a two-state solution: a Palestinian state established on the June 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, living side by side with the State of Israel. He recalled, in this regard, the organization by Morocco and the Netherlands of the fifth meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution held last May, a clear illustration of Morocco’s adherence to and support for the dynamic initiated by this Alliance launched by Saudi Arabia and France.

Regarding the Mediterranean dimension of the OSCE, the diplomat noted that “as we mark half a century since the adoption of the Final Act that laid the foundations of pan-European security, Morocco believes that it is more necessary than ever to reaffirm a strategic reality that is too often overlooked: the security of Europe and the security of the Mediterranean are inseparable, interdependent and mutually reinforcing.”

He added that the founding principles of 1975, namely dialogue and cooperation as foundations of peace, respect for territorial integrity and a comprehensive concept of security, hold “particular resonance today in a Mediterranean region confronted with energy, migration, climate and geopolitical challenges.”

For Mr. Farhane, any destabilization in the South directly affects the North, as political tensions, institutional collapse and climate impacts generate population displacement, pressure on asylum systems and humanitarian challenges. Transnational criminal networks and environmental vulnerability further illustrate the interdependence of both shores.

Thus, he continued, Morocco considers that the security–cooperation–human rights triad must be revisited in order to fully integrate Mediterranean partners into a shared security space.

Reaffirming the spirit of Helsinki, he stressed that there can be no stable Europe “without a stable Mediterranean,” expressing the Kingdom’s readiness to actively contribute to a renewed and inclusive collective security.

“In 2025, we believe that we must reaffirm with the same conviction: there can be no stable Europe without a stable Mediterranean. Likewise, there can be no lasting security in the Mediterranean without Euro-Mediterranean partnership. Our concerns are the same, our destiny is shared, our security must be shared as well. This is the spirit of Helsinki. This is the meaning of Helsinki plus 50, which aims to expand, deepen and renew a vision of Euro-Mediterranean security,” he said.

He also expressed Morocco’s readiness to contribute to any reflection on adapting the objectives of the Helsinki Final Act, with the aim of improving mutual relations with neighbouring countries and ensuring the conditions necessary for nations to coexist in peace and harmony, free from any threat or harm to their security in all its dimensions.

Editorial team/le7tv