Speakers at a discussion in Helsinki on Tuesday reiterated the importance of democratic autonomy plan for resolving the crisis in the western Sahara region.
The discussion titled “50 Years: From Development to Democratic Autonomy” was organised by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco to Finland and Estonia at Balder Sali auditorium marking the 50th anniversary of Morocco’s Glorious Green March where the speakers also hailed the UN Security Council resolution adopted on October 31.
They highlighted the country’s evolution from national unity to democratic autonomy and its growing role in promoting stability and sustainable development in the Sahara region.
Member of Finnish Parliament Peter Östman presented the keynote paper in the discussion where he emphasized the deep historical importance of The Green March for Morocco and Finland’s supportive position for a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution regarding Morocco’s Autonomy Plan for Western Sahara.
He said that the latest Security Council resolution concerning the long-standing conflict in the Sahara is a big game changer, and it's a big step toward peace and finally solving the conflict.
“It reflects Finland’s broader foreign policy values: dialogue over confrontation, cooperation over division, and respect for international law.” Östman said.
Risto Veltheim, a former Finnish Ambassador moderated the discussion where Elizabeth Nauclér, Finnish independent politician, Antero Eerola, Chair of the Vantaa City Council and Ambassador of Morocco Mohamed Achgalou spoke as panel discussants.
Achgalou highlighted the country’s 2007 Autonomy Plan as a “serious and credible” foundation for a lasting political solution, reaffirmed by UN Security Council Resolution 2797, adopted just days before.
He said that the resolution encourages all parties to pursue negotiations based on Morocco’s proposal.
Morocco’s approach to autonomy is built on years of reform initiated under King Mohammed VI, who launched the Autonomy Plan in 2007, followed by regionalization in 2012 and a new development model in 2015.
“Today, the Autonomy Initiative stands as the sole framework for the political process ahead, recognized as such by the United Nations Security Council,” Achgalou said, adding that Morocco’s initiative enjoys the backing of over 120 UN member states, including 23 European Union countries.
Eerola described Resolution 2797 as “an important step toward solving the Western Sahara dispute.”
He noted that Morocco’s autonomy proposal is now “the only realistic choice” in moving toward a just and lasting solution.
Veltheim said that independence for the Sahara region “is not realistic” given the instability in the Sahel and the need to avoid “new failed or weak states” that could become vulnerable to extremism and crime.
Nauclér highlighted that Morocco’s 2007 proposal “has become a foundation for future discussions” and a constructive way forward.
“The autonomy suggestion from 2007 by Morocco has become a basis for future discussions and for solving the question. That is, of course, good news for Morocco, but I hope also good news for the other side. There is a lot of work to be done. Autonomy has developed over 100 years. Now, the time frame for sending a reaction or a new report to the UN is six months,” she said.
The Panellists also drew comparisons with the Åland Islands autonomy model in Finland as an example of how self-governance can foster stability and coexistence.
Ari Petäjävaara, Chairman of the Finnish Friends of Morocco Association made the concluding remarks and said that the Autonomy Plan is important not only from a political standpoint but also for its human and economic impact.
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
