Latest news with #Lammy
Business Recorder
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Dar, Lammy agree to enhance cooperation
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his British counterpart David Lammy on Sunday agreed to enhance their cooperation in multilateral forums, particularly within the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, during a telephonic call, Dar and Lammy discussed ways to foster closer ties in addressing global challenges through the UNSC, which plays a pivotal role in maintaining international peace and security. It said the two leaders exchanged views on enhancing bilateral cooperation at the UNSC. The UK, one of the five permanent members of the UNSC, plays an integral role in addressing global conflicts and crises. Both ministers agreed to maintain ongoing contact and to meet in person later this month at the United Nations in New York, where high-level discussions are scheduled. The renewed commitment to bilateral cooperation comes amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan. The conflict escalated in May when India launched missile strikes on sites in Pakistan, leaving Pakistan with no option but to retaliate, which forced India to seek the US's help to broker a ceasefire. Lammy's remarks come after his first official visit to Pakistan last month, where he met with senior Pakistani leaders. The visit occurred in the context of heightened tensions between Pakistan and its nuclear-armed neighbour, India, following a military standoff that raised international concerns. The UK and Pakistan share a strong relationship spanning military, economic, and educational sectors. The UK is also home to a significant Pakistani diaspora, which has further deepened cultural and familial ties between the two nations. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
France 24
5 hours ago
- Politics
- France 24
UK latest country to back Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara
British foreign minister David Lammy said on Sunday that Morocco 's autonomy plan for the territory of Western Sahara was the "most credible" solution to the decades-long dispute, reversing London's long-standing position. Western Sahara, a mineral-rich former Spanish colony, is largely controlled by Morocco but has been claimed in its entirety for decades by the pro-independence Polisario Front, which is backed by Algeria. Morocco has been campaigning for broad support for its autonomy plan after obtaining US recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the disputed territory in 2020, in exchange for the normalisation of diplomatic relations with Israel. "The United Kingdom considers Morocco's autonomy proposal submitted in 2007 as the most credible, viable and pragmatic basis for a lasting resolution of the dispute," Lammy told reporters in Rabat. Britain previously backed self-determination for the disputed territory, which Morocco claims as an integral part of its kingdom. Moroccan foreign minister Nasser Bourita welcomed the shift, saying the new British position contributed "greatly to advancing this momentum and promoting the UN path towards a definitive and mutually acceptable solution based on the autonomy initiative." Growing European support Rabat's push for support for its autonomy plan has seen success. Spain and Germany now officially back the Moroccan autonomy plan, while France last summer recognised Morocco's sovereignty over the territory. Algeria, which backs the Polisario Front and cut diplomatic relations with Rabat in 2021, said it "regrets" Britain's decision on Sunday to support Morocco's autonomy plan. "In 18 years of existence, this plan has never been submitted to the Sahrawis as a basis for negotiation, nor has it ever been taken seriously by the successive UN envoys," the Algerian foreign ministry said in a statement. The United Nations considers Western Sahara a "non-self-governing territory" and has had a peacekeeping mission there since 1991, whose stated aim is to organise a referendum on the territory's future. But Rabat has repeatedly ruled out any vote where independence is an option, instead proposing an autonomy plan. "This year is a vital window of opportunity to secure a resolution before we reach 50 years of the dispute in November," Lammy said. The foreign minister also said it encouraged "relevant parties to engage urgently and positively with the United Nations-led political process". The ceasefire collapsed in mid-November 2020 after Moroccan troops were deployed to the far south of the territory to remove separatists blocking the only route to Mauritania - a route they claimed was illegal, as it did not exist in 1991. The UN Security Council is calling for negotiations without preconditions, while Morocco insists they focus solely on its autonomy plan. "The only viable and durable solution will be one that is mutually acceptable to the relevant parties and is arrived at through compromise," added Lammy. In a joint statement, the United Kingdom noted that its export credit agency, UK Export Finance, may consider supporting projects in the Sahara as part of its commitment to mobilise 5 billion British pounds (approximately 5.9 billion euros) for new economic initiatives in Morocco.
Roya News
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Roya News
British FM says Morocco's autonomy plan for W. Sahara 'most credible' solution
British foreign minister David Lammy said on Sunday that Morocco's autonomy plan for the territory of Western Sahara was the "most credible" solution to the decades long dispute, reversing London's long-standing position. Speaking in Rabat, Lammy said Morocco's 2007 plan represented "the most credible, viable and pragmatic basis for a lasting resolution of the dispute". Britain previously backed self-determination for the former Spanish colony, which Morocco claims as an integral part of its kingdom. He urged all parties involved in the dispute to 'urgently and constructively engage in the political process led by the United Nations' to reach a solution. The statement marks a shift in the UK's position. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Britain had previously supported efforts to achieve a political solution that ensures the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination. Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita welcomed the UK's new stance, saying it would 'significantly strengthen momentum and push forward the UN-led process toward a final, mutually agreed solution based on the autonomy initiative.' Morocco views its autonomy plan — which proposes self-governance under Moroccan sovereignty — as the only viable solution to the dispute over Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony that the UN classifies as a 'non-self-governing territory.' The Algeria-backed Polisario Front continues to demand full independence. Morocco controls most of the contested territory, where the conflict has persisted for nearly 50 years. In October 2024, the UN Security Council renewed its call for Morocco, the Polisario Front, Algeria, and Mauritania to resume negotiations aimed at reaching a 'durable and mutually acceptable' resolution.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
British FM says Morocco's autonomy plan for W. Sahara 'most credible' solution
British foreign minister David Lammy said on Sunday that Morocco's autonomy plan for the territory of Western Sahara was the "most credible" solution to the decades-long dispute, reversing London's long-standing position. Western Sahara, a mineral-rich former Spanish colony, is largely controlled by Morocco but has been claimed in its entirety for decades by the pro-independence Polisario Front, which is backed by Algeria. Morocco has been campaigning for broad support for its autonomy plan after obtaining US recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the disputed territory in 2020, in exchange for the normalisation of diplomatic relations with Israel. "The United Kingdom considers Morocco's autonomy proposal submitted in 2007 as the most credible, viable and pragmatic basis for a lasting resolution of the dispute," Lammy told reporters in Rabat. Britain previously backed self-determination for the disputed territory, which Morocco claims as an integral part of its kingdom. Moroccan foreign minister Nasser Bourita welcomed the shift, saying the new British position contributed "greatly to advancing this momentum and promoting the UN path towards a definitive and mutually acceptable solution based on the autonomy initiative." - Growing European support - Rabat's push for support for its autonomy plan has seen success. Spain and Germany now officially back the Moroccan autonomy plan, while France last summer recognised Morocco's sovereignty over the territory. Algeria, which backs the Polisario Front and cut diplomatic relations with Rabat in 2021, said it "regrets" Britain's decision on Sunday to support Morocco's autonomy plan. "In 18 years of existence, this plan has never been submitted to the Sahrawis as a basis for negotiation, nor has it ever been taken seriously by the successive UN envoys," the Algerian foreign ministry said in a statement. The United Nations considers Western Sahara a "non-self-governing territory" and has had a peacekeeping mission there since 1991, whose stated aim is to organise a referendum on the territory's future. But Rabat has repeatedly ruled out any vote where independence is an option, instead proposing an autonomy plan. "This year is a vital window of opportunity to secure a resolution before we reach 50 years of the dispute in November," Lammy said. The foreign minister also said it encouraged "relevant parties to engage urgently and positively with the United Nations-led political process". The ceasefire collapsed in mid-November 2020 after Moroccan troops were deployed to the far south of the territory to remove separatists blocking the only route to Mauritania — a route they claimed was illegal, as it did not exist in 1991. The UN Security Council is calling for negotiations without preconditions, while Morocco insists they focus solely on its autonomy plan. "The only viable and durable solution will be one that is mutually acceptable to the relevant parties and is arrived at through compromise," added Lammy. In a joint statement, the United Kingdom noted that its export credit agency, UK Export Finance, may consider supporting projects in the Sahara as part of its commitment to mobilise 5 billion British pounds (approximately 5.9 billion euros) for new economic initiatives in Morocco. isb-anr/fka/ysm/
Straits Times
9 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
UK joins US, France in backing Morocco autonomy plan for West Sahara
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy considers Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara to be the 'most credible". PHOTO: REUTERS RABAT - The UK backed Morocco's plan to administer the disputed territory of Western Sahara, in a historic shift mirroring moves by France and the US. London considers Morocco's proposal, under which it would keep sovereignty over the territory while granting it limited autonomy, the 'most credible, viable and pragmatic basis' to resolve the half-century dispute, Foreign Secretary David Lammy said June 1. 'A resolution is long overdue' to ensure a better future for the people of the region, Mr Lammy told reporters in the Moroccan capital, Rabat. The UK is also boosting economic ties with the North African kingdom, he said. A resolution must be secured this year 'before we reach 50 years in the dispute in November,' he added. A vast swath of coastline and desert that's larger than the UK, the Western Sahara has been bitterly contested since Spanish colonial forces withdrew in 1975 and Morocco marched in. Sporadic clashes with the independence-seeking Polisario Front claimed about 9,000 lives over 16 years. A three-decade ceasefire collapsed in late 2020. Shortly afterward, US President Donald Trump's administration backed Morocco's claim to the territory in a deal that also saw Rabat agree to restore diplomatic ties with Israel. France followed suit last summer and has indicated economic development of the sparsely populated but resource-rich area should be a priority. 'We are raising the threshold of our joint ambitions,' Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said on June 1, speaking alongside Mr Lammy. The two said areas of cooperation would include the UK helping fund investments in Western Sahara, as well as defence, security and scientific research. The UK's change of stance and new economic and cultural cooperation agreements will unlock public procurement opportunities for UK firms across Morocco and 'ensure British businesses score big on football's biggest stage,' Mr Lammy said, referring to the Fifa World Cup Morocco will co-host in 2030. Morocco and the UK are 'beginning a new era' in their partnership anchored by a relationship between the two kingdoms that lasted more than 800 years, Mr Lammy added. BLOOMBERG Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
