This visit, he indicated, opens a solemn page materialized by the signature by HM King Mohammed VI and the President Macron of a declaration of great importance relating to the Strengthened Exceptional Partnership.
This document, explained the minister, “marks the expression of a renewed ambition for bilateral cooperation, firmly anchored in the principles of equality between States, transparency, solidarity and shared responsibility”. This declaration, he added, “outlines priority areas of collaboration – such as renewable energies or the modernization of infrastructures railway and ports – called to become the foundations of an enriched and mutually beneficial relationship.
The minister specified that “the governance of this partnership is also defined in the declaration: it will be under the direct supervision of the two heads of state and monitored by a select committee, responsible for charting innovative paths and seizing the opportunities to anchor the strengthening of this relationship over time.
The agreements signed before the Sovereign and the French President inaugurate a new generation of commitments, revealing a shared vision, noted the minister, noting that “the partnership is based on an authentic collaborative approach, a real doing with Morocco, which consists of doing things together, recognizing and valuing the potential of Moroccan companies ». Nasser Bourita indicated in this context that “the emblematic partnerships, around the High Speed Line and thegreen hydrogenembody this new spirit.
Regarding the French position on the Moroccan Saharathe minister indicated that it is part of a global dynamic initiated a few years ago by His Majesty King Mohammed VImarked by numerous explicit recognitions of the Moroccan sovereignty over the Saharathrough the opening of around thirty consulates has Laayoune et Dakhlaand growing support for autonomy plan as a solution to this regional dispute.
Within theEuropean Unionrecalled the minister, nearly 20 countries among the 27 also support this approach, noting that the French position is significant because it comes from a permanent member of the United Nations Security Councilbut above all from a country which knows the realities of this region and an influential actor in theUE. The minister affirmed that “today, all the conditions are met to move forward”, noting that “the autonomy initiative benefits from the support of more than 112 countries around the world, including more than twenty country of Americasamong which UNITED STATESalmost three quarters of African States and member countries of the European Union.
This international dynamic, he underlined, extends to all continents and each region, regretting however that the real actor in this regional dispute continues to favor the status quo. This immobility, he deplored, has an impact on the security of the region and a cost for the Maghrebthe Sahel, the two banks of the Mediterraneanand especially for the Moroccan and Algerian people.
Evoking the challenges of regional geopolitics in light of Morocco’s initiatives, notably theAtlantic Initiative llaunched by HM the King with regard to Sahel countriesMr. Bourita affirmed that “in his Afro-optimistic approach, His Majesty King Mohammed VI has always refused to see the Sahel like a fatality. This is why He went to Mali on 4 occasions since 2012, investing massively in the training of more than 500 imamsMohammed VI Institute for training Imams and initiating numerous development projects, in addition to the Moroccan presence in the banking sector and economic.
It is in this spirit, explained the minister, “that the Royal initiative was launched, offering the countries of the Sahel access to Moroccan portsstorage areas, logistics infrastructureto the optical fiberand by accompanying them in the customs procedures. The idea is to open up the Sahel, to get it out of its isolation.”
The minister noted that reactions to this royal initiative have been very positive: 3 ministerial meetings have already taken place and task forces have been established by the Heads of State concerned to promote ownership of this initiative. A reference document has been produced and will soon be submitted to the Heads of State for approval, with projects to be launched in the short, medium and long term.
He noted to this effect that “France, also involved in this region, is pursuing its objectives, but with an approach of its own”, adding that “the common objective remains the stabilization of the Sahel, with deep respect for the choice of its peoples and with the firm desire to promote their development.
