Morocco signals return to normal diplomatic ties with Germany following row over Western Sahara
Morocco signals return to normal diplomatic ties with Germany following row over Western Sahara
Morocco said Wednesday that it expected to restore diplomatic relations with Germany after Berlin voiced support for Rabat's autonomy plan for the Western Sahara territory.
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The diplomatic situation improved after the German foreign ministry issued a statement describing Morocco’s autonomy plan as an 'important contribution' to finding a political solution [source: Getty]
said on Wednesday it expected a return to normal cooperation and diplomatic ties with after Berlin expressed support for Rabat's autonomy plan for the
Morocco had recalled its ambassador to Germany in May in protest over what it described as "antagonistic activism" after the United States in December 2020 recognised Moroccan sovereignty over the territory, which is also claimed by the -backed Polisario Front movement.
In March, Morocco ordered all governmental departments and bodies to abstain from any cooperation and contacts with the German embassy and German political organisations.
But last week, the diplomatic situation improved after the German foreign ministry issued a statement describing Morocco’s autonomy plan as an "important contribution" to finding a political solution to the Western Sahara conflict, in line with Security Council resolutions.
The foreign ministry said in a statement that it welcomed the "positive statements...which bode well for a resumption of bilateral cooperation and a return to normalcy in the work of diplomatic representations of the two countries in Berlin and Rabat".
Morocco has been assertive in pushing European countries and the to follow the United States on its Western Sahara stance. King Mohammed last month said Morocco would not agree "any economic or commercial step that excludes the Moroccan Sahara".
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