From the podium of the annual international conference “Atlantic Dialogues”, former Portuguese Foreign Minister, Paulo Portas, praised the performance and achievements of Moroccan diplomacy, saying: “(…) I would like to commend Moroccan diplomacy for its consistency, steadfastness and intelligent moves.”

Portas, who was speaking during a dialogue session that brought him together yesterday, Thursday, with the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United States of America, on the subject of “Morocco’s commitment to the Atlantic space”, described the year 2025 as the “golden year” for Moroccan diplomacy, noting that “soft power approaches that are carried out without coercion can produce remarkable results,” and citing shifts in the positions of Spain, France and the United Kingdom towards the first national cause of the Moroccans.

The same spokesperson continued, explaining: “(…) Because in a world of ambiguity, a world of surprises, and a world that mixes diplomacy with reality TV, Morocco solved the Sahara problem politically and diplomatically. This was thanks to tireless diplomatic efforts, without coercion or threats, and through soft power, to broaden consensus and reduce hostilities.”

The former Portuguese Foreign Minister continued: “There was a change in the Spanish position, a similar change in the French position, a change in the position of the United Kingdom, and a change in the position of the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Belgium—specifically the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Portugal, however, did not change its position, but merely reaffirmed it, because we have never had a pro-Polisario current in our domestic policy, have we?”

“A great achievement”

The Portuguese official, who served as his country’s foreign minister between 2011 and 2013, highlighted that “it is unexpected how the UN Security Council in 2025, which is almost 90% paralyzed due to the double veto, approved the resolution that considers the Moroccan autonomy plan to be the only viable solution, and states in precise terms that the autonomy of the Sahara will be under Moroccan sovereignty.”

“It’s a great achievement, especially in this world. This doesn’t mean that all the problems have been solved now, but it was patience… and by the way, I was impressed by the ingenuity in getting Russia to abstain from voting (…),” Portas reports.

The same speaker added: “In another shift that reinforces and strengthens Moroccan policy: Morocco has returned to Africa, or rather, it has a renewed and more significant African experience in policy. This was a major change and a clear influence for Morocco in its relations with the African continent; therefore, Morocco enjoys a good and traditional relationship with the United States… and I remember being impressed by the number of votes that reinstated Morocco in the African Union. Forty-two in favor out of fifty-four… and it is a return to reality in a way.”

The former Portuguese foreign minister concluded that “Morocco is acting as a regional power in Africa,” adding: “This is a good change, in my opinion, because stability is important,” and noting, in what resembled a conclusion: “Geography and history are the only constants in a changing world, and diplomacy requires consistency, perseverance, and smart strategies.”

“The vision is clear.”

Youssef Amrani, the Moroccan ambassador to the United States, responded to a question posed by Moroccan journalist Khadija Ihssane, who moderated the conversation between the two diplomats, regarding “What are the priorities that are actually reshaping Morocco’s Atlantic position, and what are their transformative effects across the continent?” by affirming that “the world has indeed changed since the beginning of our discussions in the Atlantic Dialogues in 2012, as it was different.”

Al-Amrani added, explaining: “Indeed, because power is changing today… and in this complex context, clarity becomes a priority. This is precisely the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI towards the Atlantic Initiative, and the entire Atlantic region,” continuing: “Because the concept was clear: we cannot build coherent regional plans with outdated tools… either we live up to the expectations and aspirations of our people or we fail.”

The Moroccan ambassador to Washington cited the strong connectivity provided by the “Dakhla-Atlantic Corridor” projects, describing it as “strategic, not only to address the situation we are experiencing in the Sahel, but to give coastal countries access to the Atlantic Ocean, to conduct business, to export their vital minerals, and to import,” adding: “This, in my opinion, is a very important element and tool for non-coastal countries.”

The second important project, according to Al-Amrani, “is the Dakhla Atlantic port, and the third is the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline and future energy routes between the north and south.” He continued, “Connecting people and networks is important, but we must not forget building bridges between cultures; this is also important.” He added, “It is good to connect the gas network and agriculture; it exists (…) but in two weeks we have African football, here in Morocco. This is soft power. It is important that we can play together, but we are playing together for the future and working together.”

Regarding the project and the importance of the initiative, the Moroccan diplomat stressed that “stability is important, without it we will be in mourning,” pointing to “the situation in the Sahel, the Maghreb, Libya and other places.”

The spokesperson concluded by saying that “the most important regional shift is the recent UN resolution on the Sahara issue. It not only brings stability, but is consistent with international legitimacy, and helps to move forward in settling the issue, raising the autonomy initiative as the only way forward.”