Spain votes in favour of United Nations Security Council resolution renewing MINURSO mandate

The MINURSO mandate was renewed on the basis of the text presented by the Group of Friends of Western Sahara. Spain thanks the United States for its work as coordinator of this group during the process to draw up the resolution.

In its statement of vote, Spain said that the work undertaken by MINURSO since 1991 has been essential to maintaining the ceasefire reached by the parties in compliance of its mandate, among other things.

MINURSO must continue its work because a United Nations presence in the Western Sahara and refugee camps is, as the Secretary-General states in his report, "important for ensuring that the parties respect the ceasefire and is a tangible representation of the commitment made by the international community to reaching a solution to the conflict".

As stated by the text approved on Wednesday, it is important for the "parties to fully cooperate with MINURSO operations, including their full interaction with all stakeholders, and to adopt those measures necessary to guarantee security, as well as the free movement of United Nations personnel in the execution of their mandate, in accordance with existing agreements".

Spain wishes to highlight the following:

That, as stated by this resolution in stronger terms, Security Council support for the efforts by the Secretary-General, Personal Envoy and Special Representative is "absolute".

That, as a novelty, a call is made to Member States for them to continue making voluntary contributions and supporting the food programmes with a view to ensuring that the humanitarian needs of the refugees are suitably met. Improving the situation of the refugees is a priority for Spain and, consequently, it will do everything within its power to respond to this call and we encourage others to do the same.

This strengthened support for the Personal Envoy must serve to reaffirm the central role played by the United Nations and facilitate a renewed drive towards a solution to the conflict.

Spain believes that, once the resolution is approved, the priority should be to achieve progress in the political process. Efforts by the international community should focus on helping the parties, Morocco and the Polisario Front, reach a fair, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution that includes the free determination of the people of Western Sahara within the framework of provisions based on the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations.