§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on progress towards a referendum in Western Sahara. [188410]
§ Mr. RammellWe seek a just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution to the Western Sahara dispute that provides the people of the Western Sahara with an opportunity to exercise their right to self-determination. We believe UN efforts to find a solution to the dispute should be maintained.
The next Secretary-General's Report on the Western Sahara will be published in October, This will cover the negotiations undertaken by the UN Special Representative to Western Sahara, Alvaro de Soto, since he was tasked with taking UN efforts forward in June 2004.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the US Administration on Moroccan sovereignty in Western Sahara. [188411]
§ Mr. RammellWe have regular discussions with the US Administration on the question of Western Sahara. These have focused on ensuring that the UN process leads to a fair and lasting solution to this dispute that provides the people of the Western Sahara with an opportunity to exercise their right to self-determination.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has discussed the Western Sahara with the Government of Spain; and what his policy is on the Joint Franco-Spanish Strategy in the territory. [188412]
§ Mr. RammellWe have regular discussions with the Spanish Government on the question of Western Sahara. These have focused on ensuring that the UN process leads to a fair and lasting solution to this dispute that provides the people of the Western Sahara with an opportunity to exercise their right to self-determination,
1617WWe welcome new initiatives intended to resolve the Western Sahara dispute. It is important that UN efforts to resolve this dispute are maintained and any proposed initiatives are carried out in conjunction with UN efforts to find a solution.