By recognizing the Sahara region "as part of the Kingdom’s sovereignty and national unity,” Belgium commits to acting "from now on, at the diplomatic and economic levels, in line with this position.”
Belgium expressed on Thursday its support for the Autonomy Initiative presented by Morocco in 2007, recognizing the Sahara region "as part of the Kingdom’s sovereignty and national unity,” and affirming that it will act "from now on, at the diplomatic and economic levels, in accordance with this position.”
This stance was expressed in a Joint Declaration signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation of the Kingdom of Belgium, Maxime Prévot, following their meeting today in Brussels.
Aware of "the existential importance of the Sahara issue” for the Kingdom, Belgium considers, in the same Joint Declaration, that the Autonomy Initiative presented by Morocco in 2007 constitutes the most appropriate, serious, credible, and realistic basis for achieving a political solution.
For his part, Mr. Bourita welcomed this significant evolution of Belgium’s position, describing it as a "clear recognition of the realism and legitimacy of the vision upheld by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, for the definitive settlement of this regional dispute.”
This new position is part of the international momentum of support for the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative, already backed by numerous countries across all regions of the world. It reflects a growing convergence around a pragmatic approach based on dialogue, stability, and regional cooperation.
Strategic Partnership
Morocco and Belgium reaffirmed, on Thursday in Brussels, their shared determination to deepen a strategic and structured partnership, based on trust, mutual respect, and a convergence of views on major regional and international issues.
This reaffirmation was made on the occasion of the meeting in Brussels between Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, and Maxime Prévot, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation of the Kingdom of Belgium.
The two senior officials praised the excellence of the political dialogue between Rabat and Brussels, marked by intensified exchanges and the implementation of a bilateral roadmap resulting from the High Joint Commission held in April 2024, which sets the priorities for cooperation in the coming years.
On the economic front, both parties emphasized the need to elevate the relationship to a higher level through the joint development of technological value chains and the promotion of sustainable investments in strategic sectors such as green hydrogen, energy transition, infrastructure, and innovation.
The two ministers also highlighted the complementarity between Moroccan and Belgian visions in matters of cooperation, regional security, and human development, reaffirming their commitment to work together for stability and shared prosperity between the two continents.