Latest news with #AutonomyPlanfortheSahara
Morocco World
30-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Moldova, Morocco Abolish Visas for Diplomatic Passport Holders
Doha – Moldova and Morocco have eliminated visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, service, and special passports, following the Moldovan Parliament's ratification of a reciprocal agreement. According to Moldovan news agency IPN, the agreement was signed in Chisinau on April 15. The newly ratified accord allows diplomatic, service, and special passport holders to enter, exit, or transit through either country without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This calculation takes into account the previous 180 days before each day of stay. Family members of eligible individuals will also benefit from the visa exemption. This includes spouses, children, parents, and other dependents who live together during their official stay and hold valid diplomatic, service, or special passports. The Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the agreement aims to develop and strengthen collaborative and friendly relations between the two countries by enabling visa-free travel for holders of these specific passport types. Read also: Morocco Lifts Visa Requirements for Albanian Citizens, Not Vice Versa This visa agreement comes on the heels of Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita's diplomatic tour in Europe in mid-April, which included a stop in Moldova. During this visit, Moldova recognized Morocco's Autonomy Plan for the Sahara as 'the most serious and credible basis' for resolving the regional dispute. Meanwhile, high-level talks between Bourita and Moldovan Foreign Minister Mihai Popșoi resulted in five cooperation accords, including the visa exemption agreement. The other agreements focused on establishing political consultations between the two countries' foreign ministries, promoting economic diplomacy, facilitating exchanges between diplomatic institutes, and enhancing cultural cooperation. Both ministers expressed satisfaction with 'the excellence of relations between the two countries' and committed to intensifying political dialogue across all sectors. They agreed to organize a comprehensive business forum targeting specific sectors with high partnership potential, including agriculture, fertilizers, energy, industrial outsourcing, digital technology, and cybersecurity. During their meeting, Popșoi voiced Moldova's 'full support for the sincere efforts' deployed by Morocco to resolve the Sahara issue. The Eastern European country reiterated its backing for the UN-led process aimed at reaching a 'just, pragmatic, durable and mutually acceptable' political solution. The Moldovan minister described Morocco as 'a regional stability hub and growth catalyst in Africa,' while Bourita expressed support for Moldova's EU accession negotiations and ongoing reform efforts. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining regional stability, security, and peace. Tags: Abolition of Visa requirementsMoldovaMorocco
Morocco World
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Moroccan Delegation Engages with UN Decolonization Committee on Western Sahara
Rabat – A high-level Moroccan delegation is participating in the regional seminar of the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization (C-24), taking place between May 21 and 23 in Dili, Timor-Leste. The event is an opportunity for the delegation to share recent developments on the Western Sahara issue with the committee and other participants. The delegation is set to recall the growing international support for Morocco's Autonomy Plan for the Sahara, which is now backed by more than 117 countries, over 60% of them being UN member states. Morocco will also note the increasing international recognition of its sovereignty over the Sahara. This includes the strong support of key countries such as the United States and France, both permanent members of the UN Security Council which are involved in drafting its resolutions on the Sahara. The delegation is led by Omar Hilale, Morocco's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, and Ridouane Houssaini, Morocco's Ambassador to Indonesia. It also includes senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the Vice-President of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs (CORCAS). The Moroccan delegation is also set to present major progress achieved in the Moroccan southern provinces under the new development model King Mohammed VI launched in 2015. This program, with a budget exceeding $10 billion, has reached advanced levels of implementation. The seminar will also allow the Moroccan delegation to reaffirm Algeria's key role in the continuation of the Sahara dispute. The delegation will explain Algeria's historical and political responsibility, as recognized by several UN Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2756 adopted in October 2024. Two elected representatives from the Moroccan southern provinces in Western Sahara are also participating in the event, including Ghella Bahiya from the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region and M'hamed Abba from the Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra region. They were invited by the Chair of the Committee. MoroccO's Sahara position has been enjoying international momentum, with a growing number of countries backing the Moroccan autonomy plan as the most suitable solution to the dispute, as well as recognizing the country's sovereignty over its southern provinces. Tags: MoroccoUNWestern sahara
