Rabat - Saint Lucia reaffirmed today its steadfast support for Morocco’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over the Western Sahara region, and endorsed the Moroccan Autonomy Plan as “the only credible, serious, and realistic solution” for a lasting resolution to the dispute.
The Carribean country expressed its commitment to Morocco’s sovereignty in a joint statement released Friday following a meeting between Saint Lucia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alva Romanus Baptiste, and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in Rabat.
Speaking at a press conference following his meeting with Bourita, Baptiste described his return to Morocco after nearly a decade as a clear signal of Saint Lucia’s renewed dedication to strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation.
He spoke of the enduring friendship between Saint Lucia and Morocco and the importance of unity between the two countries and their people.
The foreign minister also recognized the role of King Mohammed VI in fostering international support for the Moroccan autonomy plan. Saint Lucia welcomes the growing international consensus and dynamic driven by His Majesty King Mohammed VI in support of the autonomy plan and the sovereignty of Morocco over its Sahara, which is also the position of Saint Lucia,” Baptiste said.
He once again reiterated his country’s “full support to the Moroccan autonomy plan as the only credible, serious and realistic solution” to end the decades-long dispute.
Minister Baptiste also acknowledged the United Nations’ efforts in facilitating dialogue for a practical and sustainable solution to the Sahara issue, as well as expressed his country’s support for the UN framework as the exclusive channel for resolving the conflict.
As a member of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Saint Lucia highlighted the significance of diplomatic representation in Morocco, pointing to the OECS’s Embassy in Rabat, established in October 2018, and the Consulate General in Dakhla, opened in March 2022. These diplomatic missions, he noted, are vital platforms for advancing collaboration and strengthening exchanges between Morocco and the six OECS member states.
Concluding his statement, Baptiste pledged that the ties between the peoples of Morocco and Saint Lucia would endure. “The bonds of friendship shall never be destroyed, not by climate change, not by global warming,” he said. “I wish the people of Morocco the very best as together we cooperate under our respective mandates to live a better tomorrow for humanity.”
This comes at a time when Morocco is witnessing significant international support for its sovereignty over its southern regions and endorsement of its autonomy proposal for the Sahara.
Many countries around the world have endorsed Morocco’s autonomy plan, considering it the only viable solution for peace and stability. The latest expression of support came from France, which recently confirmed its backing for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara region and support for the Moroccan initiative.