To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Morocco's compliance with UN Security Council resolutions calling for a referendum on self-determination have been raised in EU-Morocco discussions on granting advanced status to Morocco. (244338)

The issue of Western Sahara was discussed at the 13 October 2008 meeting of the EU-Morocco Association Council. Western Sahara remains part of the political dialogue between the EU and Morocco, which will be strengthened as part of the advanced status.

The UK continues to believe that progress towards a negotiated solution to the dispute in Western Sahara providing for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara is best achieved under the auspices of the UN. To this end and in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution (1813) of 30 April 2008, the UK fully supports the efforts of the UN in this respect and looks forward to the appointment of a new UN Secretary General Personal Envoy to the Western Sahara, and the resumption of the Manhasset negotiations.