"The importance of the US presidential proclamation is not limited to the recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over its Sahara (...) It sets, above all, a clear and firm prospect for a settlement: autonomy under Morocco's sovereignty," Bourita said at a Ministerial Conference in Support of the Autonomy Initiative under Morocco Sovereignty, held virtually.

The US position, combined with the current international momentum in favor of the Moroccan autonomy plan, allows to "break the deadlock" that has prevailed on the Sahara issue for several decades and "opens a promising path and new prospects," the minister said at this event co-chaired by US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, David Schenker.

The Sahara issue is now experiencing "an acceleration of transformative change", which is reflected in the decision of the United States, the broad international support for the autonomy plan, and the recent opening of more than 20 consulates-general in the Southern Provinces, Bourita added.

As a serious, feasible, credible and compromise-based initiative, the autonomy plan is not just an intellectual concept, "it is a pragmatic political path, a societal project and a constructive solution that is already underway," Morocco's FM observed.

On the geopolitical level, "the autonomy initiative sets the stage for greater economic integration and security in the Maghreb region, and greater stability and prosperity throughout the African continent," he said.

Bourita also recalled that Morocco remains committed to the resumption of the political process based on clear parameters agreed to by all parties.

Morocco has demonstrated such a commitment by responding positively to the efforts of the UN Secretary-General to appoint a new personal envoy "unlike other parties who continue to hamper the efforts of the Secretary-General, he concluded.

Forty countries were represented at this conference including 27 at the ministerial level.