Latest news with #UK-Morocco
First Post
20 hours ago
- Business
- First Post
UK Backs Morocco's Western Sahara Plan, Snubs Algeria Firstpost Africa
UK Backs Morocco's Western Sahara Plan, Snubs Algeria | Firstpost Africa | N18G UK Backs Morocco's Western Sahara Plan, Snubs Algeria | Firstpost Africa | N18G The United Kingdom has officially backed Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara, marking a significant diplomatic win for Rabat and a setback for Algeria, which supports the pro-independence Polisario Front. During a visit to Rabat, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy called Morocco's proposal the 'most credible' path to resolving one of Africa's longest-running territorial disputes. The move aligns the UK with countries like the U.S., France, and Spain, all of whom support Morocco's plan. The decision is expected to deepen UK-Morocco ties while adding further pressure on Algeria, whose influence over the Western Sahara question continues to wane. See More
Ya Biladi
a day ago
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Back from Morocco, Lammy confirms UK's endorsement of autonomy plan to Parliament
Following his recent visit to Rabat, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Lammy updated the the Parliament on the UK's «deepening partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco» and its new position on the Western Sahara issue. «While in Morocco, I announced the UK's endorsement of Morocco's autonomy proposal as the most credible, viable, and pragmatic basis for a solution to the conflict», Lammy stated, in a message shared, Tuesday, by Ray Collins, Deputy Leader of the House of Lords and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Africa. «In parallel, I welcomed Morocco's willingness, outlined in our joint communiqué, to engage in good faith with all relevant parties and provide further details on what autonomy could entail, with a view to restarting serious negotiations», he added in his address to Parliament. Lammy emphasized that, through this position, the UK government is «advancing regional security, stability and prosperity by supporting efforts to resolve the longstanding Western Sahara conflict, which has persisted for nearly five decades». The conflict, he noted, has «undermined regional stability and hindered economic development, particularly affecting Sahrawi refugees residing in the Tindouf camps». Referring to a «renewed international engagement», Lammy said this creates «a window of opportunity to shift the dial on this intractable conflict and support the parties and the UN in reaching a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable solution». He also stressed that by backing the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco in 2007, his office is «redoubling its efforts to help realise this opportunity». A UK-Morocco trade partnership In addition to the Western Sahara issue, Lammy's visit also focused on strengthening the UK-Morocco partnership across a range of shared priorities. He noted that the bilateral trade relationship between London and Rabat exceeds £4 billion annually—a partnership that should be further reinforced to «advance mutual goals in security, prosperity, and sustainable development—delivering tangible benefits for British businesses and supporting the Government's Plan for Change to boost economic growth». Lammy highlighted a series of partnership agreements signed during his Sunday visit, which he said are opening «opportunities for UK businesses across a range of sectors, including access to public procurement markets in Morocco, where opportunities are estimated to be worth approximately £33 billion over the next three years». He also referred to a government-to-government partnership signed with Morocco that allows British companies to compete for contracts linked to Morocco's infrastructure development ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Additionally, he announced enhanced cooperation on migration and counterterrorism, as well as joint initiatives to address water scarcity and climate change.
Morocco World
2 days ago
- Business
- Morocco World
UK Politicians Celebrate London's Newfound Western Sahara Position
Rabat – UK parliamentarians and politicians celebrated their country's newfound position, supporting Morocco's Autonomy Plan as the most serious and credible basis to end the dispute over Western Sahara. Liam Fox, former Secretary of State for International Trade, celebrated the UK's position, saying on X that the country 'has finally grasped that the Moroccan initiative on Western Sahara is the only game in town and caught up with our American and some European allies.' Fox, a staunch supporter of Morocco's autonomy plan and territorial integrity, also called on UK allies to join the growing support and momentum in favor of the Moroccan cause. 'Now it is time to maximise the opportunity and to call on all UK allies, including our Commonwealth partners, to join us in the liberating quest,' he wrote. MP Joe Powell echoed the same sentiment, noting that he felt pleased to see the UK taking this significant step. 'As Chair of Labour Friends of Morocco I am really pleased to see this significant step forward in the UK-Morocco partnership,' the MP wrote, citing this country's support for Morocco's autonomy plan as well as the opportunities this move will unlock for London. The UK made its historic announcement on Sunday during Foreign Secretary David Lammy's visit to Rabat. 'The UK has chosen to endorse autonomy within the Moroccan state as the most credible, viable, and pragmatic basis for a mutually-agreed and lasting solution to the Western Sahara dispute, one that can deliver on our commitments to conflict resolution in the region and self-determination for the people of Western Sahara,' Lammy said . Minister for Trade Policy Douglas Alexander also celebrated the news, stressing the importance of Morocco as an important ally in different sectors, including trade. 'Morocco is becoming an increasingly important trade and investment partner for the UK,' Alexander said, noting that UK companies are already securing major commercial wins in Morocco. Prior to the official announcement, many politicians have been urging their government to follow in the steps of the US and France to reinforce ties with Morocco and recognize its territorial integrity. In 2024, over 30 MPs and Peers urged the timely recognition of Morocco's Autonomy Plan as the most credible and serious framework to end the dispute. MPs and politicians from the country have frequently echoed the same demand on social platforms and international forums, while pointing out the security threats posed by Polisario in the region under Algeria's support. Algeria, which harbors Polisario in Tindouf camps and supports their separatism claims to challenge Morocco's territorial integrity, responded to the UK's position in a statement that signals Algeria's isolation amid growing support for the Moroccan territorial integrity and sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara. On Sunday, Algeria's regime said it regrets the UK's newfound position, claiming that the Moroccan autonomy initiative has 'never been presented to the Sahrawis as a basis for negotiation, nor has it ever been taken seriously by the successive UN envoys to this post.' The claims come amid growing support from at least 113 countries that support the Moroccan autonomy initiative, describing it as a serious and credible political solution to end the dispute. Tags: Algeria and the Western Saharaautonomy plan
Morocco World
16-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
UK Seeks to Boost Cooperation with World-Cup Co-Host Morocco to Unlock Business Opportunities
Rabat – Morocco's 2030 World Cup co-hosting rights are contributing to the country's position as a leader at many levels, including business and trade. The UK announced this week its interest in unlocking business opportunities through boosting ties and cooperation with Morocco, which was confirmed as a co-host of the 2030 World Cup along with Spain and Portugal. Earlier this week, UK Minister of State for Investment Baroness Gustafsson answered an MP's question on the country's steps to strengthen trade ties with Morocco, stressing that the Department for Business and Trade is 'committed to helping UK businesses export to Morocco.' This effort comes in line with the UK-Morocco Association Agreement the two countries signed in 2019 post-Brexit. 'Bilateral trade was worth £4.2 billion in 2024, up £0.6 billion in current prices from 2023,' the minister stated, stressing the importance of Morocco as a co-host of the World Cup. 'An example of the opportunities for further UK-Morocco business partnerships comes with Morocco co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup, where opportunities are emerging for British businesses,' she concluded. In a recent interview with Morocco World News (MWN), Chief Executive Officer of UK Export Finance (UKEF) Tim Reid expressed his country's determination to seize the World Cup opportunity and the projects it brings to the country. 'In Morocco, we are focusing on World Cup-related projects as we are keen to be part of this exciting adventure,' he noted, outlining the agency's £5 billion commitment to Moroccan projects, positioning the kingdom as a strategic launching point for British commercial interests throughout Africa. He stressed how UKEF is determined to contribute to Morocco's projects, whether infrastructure or energy plans. 'Whether you are a government official considering a new infrastructure project or a private company with ambition in energy efficiency, we can help. In return, we ask for a commitment to sourcing at least 20% of the contract value from the UK,' Reid told MWN. In October 2024, a UK delegation visited Morocco to explore the country's World Cup preparatory campaign as well as to discuss ways to boost ties with the North African country at all levels. The delegation included 12 British companies, interested in Morocco's projects related to the global tournament. Tags: UK and Moroccoworld cup 2030
Ya Biladi
31-01-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
UK-Morocco subsea power cable project requires political support
The ambitious UK-Morocco subsea power cable project, spearheaded by Xlinks First Ltd., is seeking political backing to become a reality. The company anticipates generating up to £24 billion in investments, with around £5 billion specifically benefiting the UK. Dave Lewis, Chairman of Xlinks and former CEO of Tesco Plc, recently shared insights in an interview with Bloomberg. He expressed optimism about reaching a final investment decision this year, achieving financial closure by 2026, and commencing construction before the end of the following year. «This project offers a stable, reliable, and dedicated supply capable of powering 7 million homes, or 8% of current electricity needs,» Lewis stated. «It promises significant inward investment, helps lower wholesale energy prices, and reduces emissions—all without requiring government funding. My view is: why wouldn't you?» The company is in discussions with the UK government to secure a contract to sell power at fixed prices. Xlinks seeks a power price higher than that of UK offshore wind farms but lower than the agreement secured by the Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant in 2016. The project plans to incorporate approximately 11.5 gigawatts of solar and wind farm capacity, along with batteries to store excess power. The electricity would be transmitted via around 4,000 kilometers (2,485.5 miles) of subsea power cables, running along the coasts of Portugal, Spain, and France, before crossing the English Channel to connect with the British power grid in Devon, southwest England.
