Morocco's Stance On Venezuela Based On Own Territorial Integrity Issues - Prime Minister Saad Eddine El Otmani

Morocco forms its relationship with Venezuela based on its own issues with territorial integrity, Saad Eddine El Otmani, the prime minister of Morocco, told Sputnik on Monday

ADDIS ABABA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th February, 2019) Morocco forms its relationship with Venezuela based on its own issues with territorial integrity, Saad Eddine El Otmani, the prime minister of Morocco, told Sputnik on Monday.

In late January, Manuel Avendano, a foreign affairs consultant to the Venezuelan National Assembly, said the government of Juan Guaido, who proclaimed himself the country's interim president, would like to restore diplomatic relations with Morocco.

"The relationship between Morocco and Venezuela has always had some problems, because Morocco has an issue, which concerns the sovereignty and unity of its territory.

This is a very important, strategic issue, so we are measuring our relations in light of this problem," the Moroccan prime minister said.

Morocco shut down its embassy in Venezuela in 2009 over Caracas' backing of a group that sought to form an independent state in Western Sahara.

Guaido has been recognized by the United States and a number of European countries as Venezuela's interim president. China, Russia and some other countries have not supported his claim for leadership.