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Western Sahara: Politics and Government

Volume 507: debated on Thursday 11 March 2010

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has had discussions with his counterparts in North Africa on the effects of the Western Sahara dispute on the effectiveness of the Maghreb Arab Union. (321617)

Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have not discussed the effect of the Western Sahara dispute on the Maghreb Arab Union with all governments in North Africa. This issue has, however, been discussed with the Moroccan authorities. The UK recognises the negative impact of the long-running dispute over the territory of Western Sahara on a range of regional co-operation initiatives, including the Arab Maghreb Union.

The UK regards the status of the disputed non- self-governing territory of Western Sahara as undetermined, pending UN efforts to find a solution that provides for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. To this end, we continue to support the UN Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy, Christopher Ross, in their efforts to resolve the dispute.