Brussels, July 13, 2012 (SPS) - The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, confirmed support to the efforts made by the UN Secretary General to reach a political solution providing right to self-determination for the Saharawi people, in a letter to the Saharawi Minister Delegate for Europe Mr. Mohamed Sidati, responding to a letter sent June 13.
The letter, which was sent by the Director of North Africa and Middle East Ms. Susan Berger who commissioned to respond on behalf of Ms. Ashton, confirmed that the latter “supports efforts of the Secretary General of the United Nations aiming to reach a just, lasting and mutually agreed upon political solution, which ensures the right to self-determination for the Saharawi people, in the context of preparations consistent with principles, objectives and charter of the UN.”
“The European Union is preoccupied on the prolongation of this conflict and hopes that Morocco’s withdrawing confidence from the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General for Western Sahara Christopher Ross would not cause further postponement on the negotiations,” underlined the letter.
The High Representative supports the Security Council resolution 2044, issued on 24 April 2012, extending the mission of MINURSO to 30 April 2013, added the letter.
Ms. Ashton also indicated that the resolution confirms on the need “to improve the situation of human rights in Western Sahara” and encourages the parties “to work with the international community to find and implement independent and credible measures to ensure the full respect for human rights, and taking into consideration their pertinent duties according to the international law.” (SPS)
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