Morocco-Pacific Island States Forum: Sahara, 'Integral Part of Moroccan Territory'

Laayoune - The Sahara is an "integral part of the Moroccan territory," stresses the "Laayoune Declaration" adopted by the 3rd Morocco-Pacific Island States forum, which ended Friday.

"Reaffirming our common commitment to the principles of sovereign equality, independence and territorial integrity of States, we solemnly affirm that the Sahara region is an integral part of the Moroccan territory," said the heads of delegations of the countries participating in this high-level diplomatic event.

They considered that the Moroccan autonomy initiative is "the one and only solution to the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara".

The heads of delegation of the countries taking part in the forum expressed their support "for the efforts carried out under the exclusive aegis of the United Nations to reach a realistic, pragmatic and lasting solution to this regional dispute, with full respect for Morocco's territorial integrity and national sovereignty".