The European Union adopted a new stance on Thursday, January 29, regarding the Moroccan Sahara, considering that “a genuine autonomy could represent one of the most viable solutions” for the final settlement of the regional dispute.
This position, adopted by the 27 member states of the European Union, was included in a joint statement signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Abroad, Nasser Bourita, and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union, Kaia Kalas, at the conclusion of the 15th session of the Partnership Council between the European Union and Morocco.
The joint statement indicated that the European Union, with its 27 members, adopts the call made by the United Nations Security Council to all parties “to engage in talks unconditionally and based on the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco, in order to reach a final political solution.”
In this context, the European Union expressed its “welcome” to Morocco’s willingness to clarify how to implement autonomy within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty,” the joint statement adds.
On another note, the European Union praised the “adoption by the United Nations Security Council of resolution 2797 (2025), which fully supports the efforts made by the UN Secretary-General and his personal envoy to facilitate and lead negotiations based on the autonomy plan presented by Morocco.”
While many member states of the European Union had already expressed clear and explicit support for the Moroccan Sahara and the autonomy initiative proposed by Morocco, this new position of the European Union constitutes a fundamental development.
This development is aligned with the international dynamics initiated by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, in favor of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara and in support of the autonomy initiative, which culminated in the adoption of Security Council resolution 2797 on October 31, 2025.
This new European position reflects the consensus of the 27 EU member states in favor of a final settlement of this regional dispute based on autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty, which undoubtedly will provide a renewed impetus for upcoming bilateral relations and engagements, especially in anticipation of establishing a new partnership between the parties.
