Spain deems the Moroccan autonomy plan, presented in 2007, as the “most serious, realistic and credible basis for the resolution of the Sahara dispute.”

In a joint statement issued following the talks held Thursday in Rabat with King Mohammed VI, Spanish Prime minister Pedro Sanchez says Madrid “recognizes the importance of the Sahara issue for Morocco as well as Morocco’s serious and credible efforts made within the framework of the United Nations to find a mutually acceptable solution”.

Spain’s former Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said that he has been supporting the Autonomy Plan since its introduction by Morocco in 2007.

Zapatero argued that Morocco’s “serious and credible” initiative is in line with the UN-led political process seeking to find a realistic and lasting solution to the dispute.

Zapatero made his remark during an interview with Moroccan news agency MAP on Wednesday.

In the interview, the former Spanish PM emphasized that Morocco’s Autonomy Plan is the “most solid, safest, and best path for everyone.”

The position of the Spanish government in support of the Moroccan autonomy plan, as being "the most serious, realistic and credible basis" for resolving the dispute over the Moroccan Sahara, stems from Spain's "genuine desire" to contribute "actively" to the settlement of this conflict which has lasted too long, said Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday.

"Spain has taken this decision with the full will to take a step forward" towards the settlement of this dispute, Mr. Sanchez told the Spanish Congress of Deputies.

Former President of the Spanish Government, Felipe González, has reaffirmed in New York that the Moroccan autonomy plan is "the best solution" to achieve a final settlement of the regional dispute over the Sahara.

"It is the most serious and realistic solution that has been presented for more than forty years," González told reporters at an award ceremony of the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute, held Thursday.