Portugal reinforces support for Moroccan Autonomy Initiative in joint declaration with Rabat

Lisbon, July 22, 2025 — Portugal reaffirmed its support for Morocco's Autonomy Initiative as a genuine and credible solution to the resolution of the regional Sahara issue in a joint declaration issued following yesterday evening's top-level talks in Lisbon between Moroccan Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita, and the Portuguese Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangel.

The declaration is made as part of the growing international movement in defense of Morocco's sovereignty over the Southern Provinces, a movement that is increasingly energized by the diplomatic initiative of HM King Mohammed VI.

Portugal's new stance falls in line with the Kingdom's autonomy initiative, initially presented to the United Nations in 2007, under which the Sahara territory would have wide-ranging self-rule within Moroccan authority. The initiative is increasingly receiving strong international support as the most serious, realistic, and pragmatic solution to a conflict that has lasted almost half a century.

Portugal greets and welcomes the initiative taken by Morocco to come to a final political settlement of the Sahara issue and sees the project for autonomy presented by Morocco in 2007 as a serious and valid point of departure for a negotiated agreement, according to UN Security Council resolutions," the joint statement stated.

This position is consistent with Lisbon's commitment to an orderly, UN-led, realist, and compromise-driven peace process. It also upholds Portugal's membership in a growing roster of European and international partners—Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States—that have unequivocally endorsed the Moroccan offer.

In the Moroccan case, the support is a testament to the success of HM the King's proactive diplomacy, which has resulted in putting the Sahara issue at the top of Morocco's foreign policy and international relations.

The Lisbon gathering also reflected the depth of Moroccan-Portuguese strategic relations, with both parties reaffirming their firm commitment to deepen cooperation in key sectors such as energy transition, maritime economy, migration management, and regional security.

The observers view Portugal's open and clear expression of support as a major diplomatic triumph for Morocco, as well as another blow to the Algerian-sponsored separatist ambitions of the Polisario Front.

With Rabat further establishing its position globally, the backing of customary partners like Portugal is a powerful signal of gradual harmonization with Morocco's territorial jurisdiction over the Sahara and the autonomy proposal as the most suitable path forward to advance peace, stability, and development for the region.