Emmanuel Macron in Morocco: the program of a state visit to mark reconciliation between the two countries

Emmanuel Macron in Morocco: the program of a state visit to mark reconciliation between the two countries
Emmanuel Macron in Morocco: the program of a state visit to mark reconciliation between the two countries

Invited by King Mohammed VI, Emmanuel Macron is making a state visit to Morocco from October 28 to 30.

The objective: to show that the two countries are allies, despite the various diplomatic crises of recent years.

Discussions should focus on immigration and Western Sahara.

This is the first state visit by a French president to Morocco since 2013. Emmanuel Macron is flying to Rabat this Monday, October 28. He will stay there for three days. The goal: to revive the relationship between the two countries (new window)after three years of acute crisis. To mark this important occasion, the president and his wife, Brigitte Macron, will be accompanied by an imposing delegation, including the Ministers of the Interior Bruno Retailleau and the Ministers of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu.

This visit, which follows an invitation launched at the end of September (new window) by the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, “reflects the depth of bilateral relations, based on a deep-rooted and solid partnership” with a “common will” of “strengthen the multidimensional ties uniting the two countries”indicated the royal cabinet in a press release. The Franco-Moroccan relationship should enter a new phase, without quarrels or invectives, “for the next 30 years”for its part, congratulated the Élysée.

A speech before the Moroccan Parliament

Mohammed VI will welcome his guest in person at the airport to the sound of 21 cannon shots. The two heads of state will then join the Royal Palace for a face-to-face meeting followed by the signing of agreements on energy, water, education and even internal security.

On Tuesday, the king will host a state dinner in honor of the president and his wife. The same day, Emmanuel Macron will deliver a speech to Parliament and attend contract signings during an entrepreneurial forum. is the leading foreign investor in Morocco with nearly 1,000 companies, including almost the entire CAC 40. According to corroborating sources at AFP, Airbus Helicopters could thus sell 12 to 18 Caracals to the Moroccan Armed Forces on occasion. of this visit.

Immigration, an explosive subject in recent years

Several key subjects should be discussed between the two leaders, starting with immigration policies (new window). Bruno Retailleau wishes in particular to condition visa policy on the issuance of consular passes, essential documents for sending foreigners back to their country of origin. At the beginning of October, he cited the example of Morocco: in 2023, 238,000 visas were granted to Moroccan nationals for only 1,680 forced returns to their soil.

“If you do not issue us more consular passes to expel your delinquent nationals, for our part, we will issue fewer visas to all of your nationals”then launched the Minister of the Interior. The same strategy was used in 2021 by his predecessor, Gérald Darmanin, before reversing course because of the diplomatic crisis that this measure had caused.

Western Sahara falls under “Moroccan sovereignty”

In recent months, tensions have centered around the question of Western Sahara. This former Spanish colony, considered a “non-autonomous territory” by the UN, has pitted Morocco against the Sahrawi separatists of the Polisario Front, supported by Algiers, for half a century.

After the United States recognized Morocco's sovereignty over this territory, Rabat increased pressure on France to do the same. On July 30, Emmanuel Macron ended up considering that the future of Western Sahara was “within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty”opening the way to a warming of relations with Rabat and consequently to a new crisis with Algiers.

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Emmanuel Macron has already visited Morocco twice. He made a working visit there in 2017, before returning in 2018 to inaugurate, with the king, the Tangier-Casablanca high-speed train line.


Zoe SAMIN

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