Moroccan Sahara: Serbia Reiterates Support for Morocco’s Territorial Integrity

Belgrade, 26/06/2023 (MAP)- Serbia reiterated on Monday its support for Morocco’s territorial integrity as well as its “principled stance against secessionism and separatism.”

This stance was reaffirmed following a phone conversation between Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, and his Serbian counterpart, Ivica Dačić. The phone exchange was formalized during talks in Belgrade between Dačić and Morocco’s Ambassador to Serbia, Mohammed Amine Belhaj.

Serbia’s FM also reiterated his country’s “support of the United Nations’ efforts to achieve a realistic, pragmatic and lasting political solution to the Sahara issue, in the spirit of realism and compromise, and in full compliance with the relevant UN resolutions,” according to a statement from his department, issued following the meeting.

During the talks, which discussed the possibilities for further intensification and strengthening of good bilateral relations, the official pointed out that during the telephone call with Bourita, he had expressed his “gratitude to Morocco for its constant and firm support for the preservation of Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, in accordance with international law.”

The official also emphasized the long-standing, traditionally friendly ties between the two countries as well as Serbia’s readiness to continue developing overall cooperation with Morocco, including exchanges of visits at the highest level.

In this regard, Dačić reiterated his invitation to his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita to visit Serbia, the statement said.

In the same vein, Serbia’s FM noted that last year the two counties marked the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, which was an ideal moment for the peoples of Serbia and Morocco to get to know each other through numerous artistic and cultural events held throughout the year.

Dačić stressed the need to further expand “the economic and trade ties between the two countries so that they keep pace with the excellent level of our political relations.”

For his part, Morocco’s Ambassador in Belgrade presented the Serbian FM with a congratulatory letter from his Moroccan counterpart on the occasion of Serbia’s election to host the specialized exhibition EXPO 2027, the statement concluded.