Deputy Assistant Secretary Joshua Harris reaffirmed that the United States continues to view Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as serious, credible, and realistic, and one potential approach to meet the aspirations of the people of Western Sahara

Rabat, September 7, 2023 – Deputy Assistant Secretary for North Africa Joshua Harris and Ambassador Puneet Talwar met today with Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and reaffirmed the deep and historic partnership between the United States and Morocco.

DAS Harris underscored U.S. appreciation for Morocco’s crucial efforts on a wide range of regional and global challenges, including addressing instability in the Sahel, supporting Libyan elections, and promoting equal measures of freedom, security, and prosperity for Israelis and Palestinians.

DAS Harris reviewed his recent regional travels, affirmed full U.S. support for the UN Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General Staffan de Mistura, and discussed the importance of engagement with the Personal Envoy in a spirit of realism and compromise, as he intensifies efforts to achieve an enduring and dignified political solution for Western Sahara.

DAS Harris also reaffirmed that the United States continues to view Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as serious, credible, and realistic, and one potential approach to meet the aspirations of the people of Western Sahara.