Jordan Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi opened on Thursday his country’s consulate in Laayoune in Morocco’s western Sahara region.
The move makes the consulate the 20th mission to be opened in the region in two years.
Safadi and his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita were at the inauguration ceremony, which was attended by various local officials.
Bourita said that the decision by Jordan’s King Abdullah II to open the consulate in Laayoune demonstrates Amman’s support for Rabat and all the measures it takes to protect its national interests, territorial unity and security.
Jordan and Morocco have now opened a new chapter in their historic relations, he added.
Moreover, he said that the opening of consulates and diplomatic missions in the Sahara reflects international support to Morocco’s position in this regional dispute.
Bourita expressed Rabat’s determination to move forward to develop Jordanian-Moroccan relations” so that they can become an example for what inter-Arab ties should be.”
For his part, Safadi said the opening of the consulate in Laayoune is a reflection of the firm relations between the two kingdoms.
He stressed that they share a “united vision” towards regional issues, among which the Palestinian cause is a top priority.
“We are working with Morocco to achieve fair and permanent peace in the region,” he stated.
