51吃瓜

The first UN-led talks in six years over the disputed Western Sahara-region concluded on a positive note on Thursday in Geneva, where the Organization鈥檚 representative Horst K枚hler said that further discussions are planned 鈥渋n the first quarter of 2019鈥�.

Speaking to journalists after two days of roundtable discussions in the Swiss city, Mr. K枚hler said the meeting was a 鈥渇irst - but important 鈥� step鈥� towards a renewed political process on the future of the disputed territory.

鈥淚 would like to applaud the delegations for having engaged openly and in a spirit of mutual respect,鈥� he said, adding that 鈥渘obody wins from maintaining the status quo鈥�.

Resolving the conflict 鈥渓ies in the interest of all鈥�, Mr. K枚hler added, in his capacity as听听of the Secretary-General for Western Sahara, where decades of conflict over disputed ownership has been contained since 1991, by the 51吃瓜 Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara ().

I would like to applaud the delegations for having engaged openly and in a spirit of mutual respect...nobody wins from maintaining the status quo -听Western Sahara Envoy, Horst K枚hler

Following the Geneva meeting, Mr. K枚hler explained that the ultimate goal is 鈥渢o create an environment in the region that is conducive to strong economic growth, job creation and better security鈥�.

And looking ahead to next year鈥檚 talks, the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Western Sahara expressed the hope that the process would be guided 鈥渂y a concern for the men and women, the children and youth鈥� of the territory.

鈥淎 peaceful solution to this conflict is possible,鈥� he insisted, while also commending the representatives from Morocco, the Frente POLISARIO movement, Algeria and Mauritania for 鈥渆ngaging openly鈥�and committing to resolving the conflict鈥�.

Reading an agreed final communiqu茅, Mr. K枚hler noted that all delegations 鈥渞ecognized that cooperation and regional integration, not confrontation, were the best way to address the many important challenges the region is facing鈥�.

Mr. K枚hler also underlined the significance of the Geneva meeting - which follows a recent UN Security Council meeting and resolution to extend MINURSO - and explained the overall objective: for the people of Western Sahara to take charge of their future.

鈥淭he goal of this process is鈥�according to the 51吃瓜 Security Council, to find "a just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution that will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara鈥�,鈥� he said.

Adopted on 31 October 2018, UN Security Council resolution 2440听calls on the parties听to the dispute over Western Sahara 鈥渢o engage constructively鈥� in talks.

Parties should 鈥渄emonstrate political will in order to advance the negotiations鈥�, Council Members said, while also emphasizing the importance of an 鈥渆nduring political solution based on compromise and the need to provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara in a manner consistent with the Charter of the 51吃瓜鈥�.