The international momentum in favor of the solution of autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty proposed by Morocco is growing stronger each day. The Scandinavian countries are joining one by one.
Shortly after Finland, it is now Denmark’s turn to support the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco in 2007, as the solution to the artificial dispute over the Moroccan Sahara.
The official position of the Danish government was expressed by its Foreign Minister during talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Living Abroad, on Wednesday, September 25, in New York, on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In the joint statement adopted after the meeting, Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Nasser Bourita reaffirmed their support for the process led by the United Nations and for the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, as well as his efforts to achieve a peaceful and mutually acceptable solution to the conflict, in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.
This new position of Denmark is part of the international dynamic driven by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, in support of the autonomy plan and Morocco's sovereignty over its Sahara. It confirms a broader trend across Europe, including in regions like Scandinavia, which were formerly unjustly hostile towards Morocco. As a reminder, four years ago, the Swedish parliament was the first in this region to express support for the Moroccan proposal.
Strategic Bilateral Partnership
In their joint statement, the two Ministers recalled the historic and excellent bilateral relations between Morocco and Denmark, and reaffirmed their strategic importance. They discussed shared ambitions to further strengthen this partnership for the mutual benefit of economic growth and development in both countries. The Ministers specifically agreed to enhance cooperation in the areas of trade and investment, migration, and development. They identified several key sectors of mutual interest, including renewable energy, water technologies, and logistics. They also discussed the need to strengthen regular political consultations.
Denmark emphasized the importance of its bilateral partnership with Morocco, viewing it as a pillar of stability and a driver of growth and development in the region and across Africa. In this context, the two Ministers discussed Denmark’s strategy for engagement in Africa, "Africa’s Century,” launched by the Danish government in August 2024, and the "Royal Initiative to enable access to the Atlantic Ocean for Sahel States," launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI in November 2023. Both Ministers agreed to continue discussions on these Africa-related initiatives.
The two Ministers reaffirmed the crucial importance of an international order based on international law and the core principles of the United Nations Charter, while expressing their condemnation of any violation of these fundamental principles. To this end, the Ministers expressed deep concern about the repercussions of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing attacks, particularly regarding food security, energy, finance, the environment, and nuclear safety. They also reiterated their commitment to addressing these global impacts and promoting comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine.
Additionally, the two Ministers expressed concern about the situation in the Middle East and reaffirmed their countries' commitment to a two-state solution, where Palestine and Israel live side by side in peace within secure and recognized borders, in accordance with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions. They further expressed deep concern over the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, reiterating the need for an immediate ceasefire, as outlined in Resolution 2735 adopted by the UN Security Council.