The United Kingdom expressed disappointment over Russia’s decision to veto a United Nations Security Council draft resolution on Western Sahara. Sarah MacIntosh, the UK Permanent Representative to the UN, delivered the statement during an Oct. 30 council meeting in New York.
MacIntosh said the Russian veto undermines the council’s action, jeopardizes the deployment of the UN mission and risks setting back progress on the political process for Western Sahara.
The UK commended United States leadership on the resolution and welcomed the work of Personal Envoy de Mistura to advance the political process. MacIntosh urged council members to pursue a just and lasting solution that provides for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.
MacIntosh reiterated the UK position that a 2007 autonomy proposal by Morocco is the most credible, viable and pragmatic basis to resolve the dispute.