Helsinki, Finland – Finland on Tuesday became the latest European nation to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, a significant shift in the Nordic country’s foreign policy.
In a joint statement following talks between Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and his Finnish counterpart Elina Valtonen, Helsinki endorsed Morocco’s Autonomy Plan for the disputed territory, describing it as a “good basis for a solution” to the long-standing conflict.
Finland’s backing of Morocco’s position marks a pivotal moment, positioning it as the first Nordic country to explicitly support the Moroccan plan. The statement emphasized the plan’s credibility as a potential pathway to a UN-led resolution.
Both ministers reaffirmed their support for the United Nations’ exclusive role in the political process and expressed commitment to the efforts of the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy.
The Finnish decision comes on the heels of France’s similar announcement last week, adding momentum to the growing international recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty. The US was the first major power to endorse the Moroccan position in 2020, followed by Spain in 2022.
Over 40 countries have now expressed support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan.
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