Romania has endorsed Morocco's autonomy initiative as the "most appropriate, serious, credible and realistic" basis for resolving the Sahara dispute, saying that genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty could provide a viable political solution to the decades-long conflict.
The position was conveyed in a message from Romanian President Nicușor Dan to King Mohammed VI, delivered on Monday by the president's adviser and former Romanian Prime Minister Dacian Cioloș to Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, according to Morocco's Foreign Ministry.
In the message, President Dan said Romania's updated position follows an in-depth assessment of developments surrounding the Sahara issue. He noted that Romania was among the first countries to express support for Morocco on the matter and recalled that Bucharest had praised King Mohammed VI's efforts in 2022. He added that the current international context provides an opportunity for Romania to further develop its position in line with its European and international commitments.
The Moroccan Foreign Ministry said Romania's announcement reflects growing international backing for Morocco's sovereignty over its southern provinces and its 2007 autonomy proposal, a diplomatic momentum led by King Mohammed VI. According to the ministry, nearly 30 European countries, including 24 European Union member states, as well as more than two-thirds of United Nations member states, now support Morocco's autonomy initiative as the framework for a political settlement.
