This visit responds to the commitment made after a large Canarian delegation traveled to the Maghreb country last January. The Government of the Canary Islands and Moroccan authorities are finalizing the agenda for this meeting, which seeks to consolidate bilateral cooperation.
Despite criticism received regarding the visit of Canarian President, Fernando Clavijo, to Agadir in January, the regional executive maintains its firm commitment to being present in Morocco's development. Clavijo defended this stance at the Nueva Economía de Madrid forum, emphasizing the importance of seeking synergies, especially in the tourism sector.
The agenda for the Moroccan delegation, though not yet finalized, will include meetings with the Canarian Government, the two public universities, and the business sector, through chambers of commerce and employer confederations. Topics such as the fishing and port business in general will be addressed, as well as Morocco's interest in Canarian expertise in renewable energies and agricultural management.
This rapprochement occurs in a context where Morocco is gaining international support for its proposal for autonomy for Western Sahara. Countries like Mali and Kenya have withdrawn their recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) and backed the Moroccan plan, joining other significant supporters such as the United States, France, and Germany.
“"We welcome the growing international consensus and the momentum promoted by His Majesty King Mohammed VI in favor of the Autonomy Plan presented by the Kingdom of Morocco as the only credible and realistic solution to resolve the dispute over the Sahara."
The UN, for its part, continues to consider Western Sahara a non-self-governing territory awaiting decolonization. The Polisario Front insists on a self-determination referendum, while the Moroccan autonomy proposal is being considered in peace negotiations, according to UN Security Council resolution 2797 adopted on October 31.
