French President Emmanuel Macron will make an official visit to Morocco “at the end of October,” as announced by the Elysee Palace Friday.
Macron’s visit follows an invitation from King Mohammed VI.
The aim of this visit is to strengthen the momentum of relaunching bilateral relations between France and Morocco, after a prolonged period of tensions. In a statement from the Elysee Palace, it is specified that this invitation comes from a letter from King Mohammed VI, in which he welcomes the “promising horizons that are emerging for our two nations.”
This announcement comes in the context of ongoing efforts by the two governments to consolidate bilateral relations that have recently been revitalised, after years of difficulties. Last February, during a visit to Morocco, former French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne described relations between Paris and Rabat as “unique.” Although the visit was aimed at engaging in bilateral dialogue to ease existing tensions, Mr. Séjourné insisted on France’s desire to “create a dynamic” conducive to cooperation between the two countries.
Relations between Morocco and France have been strained by political crises, particularly due to smear campaigns against Morocco by some French media outlets. However, last July, France clarified its
position by recognising Morocco’s full sovereignty over its southern provinces in the Sahara.
In July, President Macron stated that the French position on this issue was that “the present and future of the Sahara are part of Moroccan sovereignty.”
He added that this position would remain “consistent and unwavering,” aligning itself with the autonomy plan
proposed by Morocco in 2007. Mr. Macron stressed that this autonomy initiative “constitutes the only basis for a political, just, lasting and negotiated solution, in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.”
RT/Sf/ac/fss/as/APA