Germany and Morocco agree to resume ties, ending West Sahara row

Germany and Morocco announced an end to months of diplomatic tension last Thursday and agreed to restart their relationship.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and her counterpart Nasser Bourita agreed on the joint declaration at a meeting in the Moroccan capital of Rabat. The agreement provides for a resumption of cooperation in all fields.

Both spoke of a "new chapter" in German-Moroccan relations. In May, Morocco said it had decided to recall its ambassador to Berlin "for consultations", due to what the monarchy said was "accumulated hostile stances" from Germany.

At the time, the monarchy accused Germany of adopting a "negative stance" towards disputed Western Sahara, a phosphate-rich area that Morocco claims as part of its territory.

Morocco took over Western Sahara in 1975 after Spain withdrew from the region. The breakaway Polisario Front movement seeks the territory's independence.

Differences still remain between Rabat and Berlin about Western Sahara. The international community does not recognise Rabat's claim to it.

The Polisario liberation movement, which is supported by Algeria, has been striving for independence there for decades. A ceasefire has been in force since 1991, monitored by a UN mission.

Following their conversation, Baerbock and Bourita jointly supported the efforts of the United Nations to resolve the conflict.

German-Moroccan relations are to be put on a new footing, with intensified cooperation in the areas of renewable energies, the production of green hydrogen, combating the climate crisis, and also in security policy.    (dpa)