Madrid, 31 January 2022 (SPS) - The Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, reiterated his country's "full" support for the efforts of the United Nations to find a solution to the conflict in Western Sahara, expressing readiness to adhere to the United Nations settlement plan in this regard.
in an interview with the Spanish newspaper, El Publico, Albares said that his country "seeks a solution to the conflict in Western Sahara within the principles of the United Nations Charter," stressing that Spain "is deeply involved in resolving this conflict."
"We cannot provide a solution, the new Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General, Staffan de Mistura, has been chosen to do so. What I can guarantee, is that he has the full support of Spain, and that we will follow his plan," he added.
"There are Security Council resolutions, such as resolution 2602, which is an interesting guide. "
"I have met on two occasions with de Mistura, and I assured him that we are at his disposal to take him anywhere he needs in order to achieve the peace that the region needs," he further said.
He reiterated that Spain's position "falls within the security council resolutions, but Spain alone cannot resolve the conflict, we are with the United Nations, we are part of the Group of Friends of the Western Sahara", calling on everyone to work to support de Mistura, but above all "let us not keep fixed positions.. "What is important is that we end this conflict."
Regarding human rights violations, which the United Nations is not mandated to monitor, in light of the continuing attacks on Sahrawi activists in the occupied territories of Western Sahara, the Spanish minister explained, “The contents of the United Nations missions are not dictated by Spain, but by the United Nations, Spain bears its full responsibility and its commitment to trying to resolve the conflict.”
"I was the first foreign minister in the world to meet with Staffan de Mistura. Human rights issues are always very complex and difficult, and the ability of more than one third country to make things evolve is very complex," he said.
In the context of the Moroccan occupation’s violations of the rights of Sahrawi citizens, especially activists, Albares touched on the situation of human rights activist Sultana Khaya, saying, “I will talk about the situation of Sultana Khaya, but you cannot create incorrect expectations, because human rights can be ensured in your region, but they are not within reach".
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