During this historic trip, the French President and King Mohammed VI signed a declaration relating to the Strengthened Partnership, a document which, according to Bourita, “marks the expression of a renewed ambition for bilateral cooperation, firmly anchored in the principles of equality between States, transparency, solidarity and shared responsibility.” In a magazine interview The Pointthe head of Moroccan diplomacy explained that this declaration “outlines the priority areas of collaboration – such as renewable energies or the modernization of railway and port infrastructures – called to become the foundations of an enriched and mutually beneficial relationship”.
“The partnership is based on an authentic collaborative approach, a real doing with Morocco, which consists of doing things together, recognizing and promoting the potential of Moroccan companies,” added Bourita, indicating that “the emblematic partnerships, around the Line at High Speed and green hydrogen, embody this new spirit.” The minister further underlined 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 seize opportunities to anchor the strengthening of this relationship over time.”
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The Minister of Foreign Affairs also spoke on France’s position on the Sahara, noting that it is an important position, in the sense that this country is a permanent member of the Security Council of the UN and an influential actor in the EU. Nasser Bourita recalled that nearly 20 countries out of the 27 making up the EU support the Moroccan autonomy plan. “Today, all the conditions are met to move forward,” he continued, maintaining that “the autonomy initiative benefits from the support of more than 112 countries around the world, including more than twenty countries of the Americas, including the United States, nearly three-quarters of African states and member countries of the European Union. The minister did not fail to deplore the status quo in the process of resolving the conflict in the Sahara, a situation which has an impact on the security of the region.
Nasser Bourita also mentioned the Atlantic initiative launched by King Mohammed VI, “offering Sahel countries access to Moroccan ports, storage areas, logistical infrastructure, optical fiber, and supporting them in the procedures customs. The idea is to open up the Sahel, to get it out of its isolation.” “France, also involved in this region, is pursuing its objectives, but with its own approach,” said the official, adding that “the common objective remains the stabilization of the Sahel, with deep respect for the choices of its peoples and with the firm desire to promote their development.”
