Bulgaria welcomed, Wednesday, Morocco's «serious and credible efforts» to resolve the Western Sahara issue. The Bulgarian government hailed the Moroccan autonomy plan, calling it a «serious and credible basis» for resolving this conflict. This position was expressed in the Joint Declaration adopted, in Rabat, by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, Mariya Gabriel. Sofia reiterated its support for the efforts carried out under the auspices of the United Nations for a just, pragmatic, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution to the Sahara issue. Both parties also affirmed their support for the efforts of the UN Personal Envoy Staffan de Mistura, bringing together the parties involved in the conflict to negotiation and speeding up the political process. They also reaffirmed their support for MINURSO. Bulgaria thus joins other European countries that have supported the Moroccan autonomy plan, such as Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Portugal, Spain and other central Europe countries. Bulgaria also praised Morocco's constructive efforts in strengthening stability, growth and development in Africa
