With a 21-gun salute, the President of France Emmanuel Macron was welcomed by His Majesty King Mohammed VI on Monday, October 28 for a three-day state visit. A warm and popular welcome which reflects the rich history of Morocco and marks a strong moment in the relations of the two nations.
From the airport to the Ambassadors’ Gate, crowds gathered along the route taken by the procession. The decor is honored by a sea of French and Moroccan flags, which fluttered under the cries of welcome given to President Macron and the applause in tribute to His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
Reconciliation after a “cold” period
President Macron is accompanied by a large delegation whose composition confirms France’s desire to rebuild its historic ties with the Kingdom. Ties which were weakened by a period of three years of quarrels and acute crises following a disproportionate rapprochement between Paris and Algiers to the detriment of Morocco’s interests. A polar cold has set in between Paris and Rabat, opening the gaps to a zone of turbulence in Moroccan-French relations.
Macron’s official visit gives a strong sign of warming in bilateral relations and which reiterates the importance of the solid partnership rooted in the history and memory of the two countries.
Reconciliation came with a lot of work. According to the Elysée press release, Macron’s visit “aims to mark a new ambition for the next 30 years” in the Franco-Moroccan relationship.
France recognizes the Moroccan character of the Sahara
The flagship and current subject in the diplomatic relations of the two countries is indeed the recognition by France of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara.
France was moving away from the UN narrative regarding the Moroccan Sahara. Indeed, in a letter addressed to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, disclosed on July 30 by the Moroccan royal palace, Emmanuel Macron explicitly expressed France’s recognition of “Moroccan sovereignty” over the Sahara and its unconditional support for the autonomy plan presented by Morocco in 2007, now considered the “only basis for reaching a solution”. France’s support for the Moroccan Sahara issue marks a new stage in the strategic relations of the two countries.
France has understood that the Sahara question is a national and sacred cause for Morocco. A cause which has succeeded, since the Green March, in bringing together and mobilizing all Moroccans to defend the national unity and territorial integrity of Morocco and to consolidate the great achievements accomplished and the strategic projects launched in the Saharan provinces.
Visit with economic ambitions
The reconciliation of the two countries is a strong sign to restore all its luster to the present and future partnership of the two countries. French President Emmanuel Macron is accompanied by an imposing delegation. No less than nine ministers are present, including those of the Interior who are eagerly awaited on the question of immigration, the Economy, National Education and Culture.
Historically, Rabat and Paris have built strong multidimensional ties for decades, which they are now seeking to strengthen within the framework of a new era of strategic partnership with a strong impact on the international scene and more particularly on the continent. African.
The weight of the economy and investment is omnipresent in the composition of the French delegation.
Several economic agreements were signed before the two heads of state and which allow Morocco and France to benefit from a lasting and strategic partnership
Leaders and representatives of major French companies and brands Engie, Alstom, Safran, Total Energies, Suez, Airbus, Veolia, Thalès and Colas held business meetings with their Moroccan counterparts with a view to further consolidating economic ties.
France hopes in particular to remain Morocco’s privileged historical partner, especially for major structuring projects such as the extension of the high-speed train line between Tangier and Agadir.
The official visit of the President of France marks a new ambition to respond to several new challenges and several common objectives. In this new strategic roadmap, Morocco, with its regional and continental position, will certainly play a crucial role in political stability and peace at the African regional level.
Par Youssef Bounoual
Economist
Related News :