Sahara: Foreign Diplomats in Laayoune for Talks with MINURSO Officials and Local Authorities

A delegation of foreign diplomats accredited in Morocco started Monday a visit to Laayoune for talks with MINURSO officials,local authorities and elected officials on the Sahara,and on major socioeconomic development and landmark projects launched in the Saharan city.

The delegation includes diplomates from Australia,Belgium,Canada,Germany,the Netherlands,Switzerland,Japan,the United Kingdom and the European Union Delegation in Rabat.

The visit comes few days after the closed-door meetings held by the UN Security Council on strategic review of the MINURSO and implementation of the UNSC resolution 2797 endorsing Morocco’s Autonomy plan under the Kingdom’s sovereignty.

The visit will enable the foreign diplomats to meet with local elected officials and see on the ground the impressive inclusive growth and transformation of Laayoune,capital of Moroccan Sahara,thanks to its modern infrastructures,roads,schools,hospitals,industrial sites,sport facilities…

Last week,participants in the 3rd Conference of the Coalition for Autonomy in the Sahara (AUSACO) visited Dakhla Atlantic port,currently under construction. The $1.2 billion megaproject,which is expected to handle 35 million tons of goods a year,includes a trade port with an oil terminal,a fishing port and a shipyard.

There will be a bridge linking the port to the land and a 7-kilometer road that connects the port with a national highway that runs along the coast as far north as Tangier and as far south as the border with Mauritania.