ALGIERS – Maltese Foreign Minister George William Vella reiterated Wednesday in Algiers his country’s support to UN resolution for the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination.
« Our position has not changed. We will continue to support the UN resolution for the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination, » Vella told a news conference.
This is the « unique framework » likely to resolve Western Sahara conflict. »
« The Sahrawi question pushed to the sidelines, given the current economic situation, but has never been forgotten, » he said, recalling that his country had hosted an international forum in 2011 on Western Sahara.
He furthermore stated that Malta, which will assume the presidency of the European Union (EU) in 2017, plans to make an assessment of the occupied situation in the territories by Morocco since 1975.
« We will push at the international level, for the speeding-up of the implementation of a UN resolution for the settlement of the conflict, » Maltese FM added.
Concerning the Palestinian question, Maltese FM insisted on the two-state solution – with a Palestinian state and an Israeli state, calling for reviving negotiations and ensure they will reach conclusions.
« We must trace a goal and a deadline to end this conflict and finally restore a sustainable peace in the region, » he pleaded.
« We were among the first EU countries to recognize the Palestinian state, and we will continue to support the Palestinian people in their struggle, « said Vella, whose country holds the mission of the Rapporteur of the UN Committee for the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian people.