Portugal described as “serious and credible” Morocco’s plan to grant autonomy to the Sahara region, saying the proposal offers prospects for the resolution of the Sahara issue. The remarks were made by Portuguese Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva following talks with his Moroccan peer Nasser Bourita in Rabat Wednesday. Augusto Santos Silva underlined the two countries’ shared willingness to develop their relations into a multidimensional and diversified strategic partnership. Some 300 Portuguese companies operate in Morocco with bilateral trade reaching an annual average of 1 billion euros. Between 2010 and 2014, Morocco’s imports from Portugal grew 82% while its exports rose by 131%.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 30, 2020 02:03 UTC