logo
Morocco's FM Visits France for Key Talks on Strengthening Morocco-France Partnership

Morocco's FM Visits France for Key Talks on Strengthening Morocco-France Partnership

Morocco World14-04-2025

Rabat – Nasser Bourita, Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs, is visiting France today for a working trip, following an invitation from Jean-Noël Barrot, France's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
This visit is a continuation of efforts to strengthen the Enhanced Exceptional Partnership, a bond sealed in a Declaration signed on October 28, 2024, in Rabat by King Mohammed VI and French President Emmanuel Macron.
The trip will be a significant moment to take stock of the progress of this partnership, with the two ministers seeking to advance the common objectives within their agreement.
Morocco-France relations have reached new heights over the past few months, particularly after French President Emmanuel Macron's official visit to Morocco in October 2024.
During his visit, Macron delivered a powerful speech in Morocco's parliament, where he pointed to the strength of the two countries' bilateral ties and acknowledged Morocco's territorial integrity as the only viable solution to the Western Sahara dispute.
This statement, coupled with increased diplomatic and economic collaboration, reflects the growing partnership between Morocco and France and reinforces their shared strategic interests.
In a continued effort to strengthen ties, French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau arrived in Rabat on Sunday evening for a brief but significant visit aimed at reinforcing security cooperation and migration management between France and Morocco.
Retailleau's trip, planned for just a few hours on Monday, comes at a crucial juncture for France. The country is navigating complex diplomatic dynamics in North Africa, with growing ties to Morocco contrasting with deteriorating relations with Algeria.
During the visit, Retailleau and his Moroccan counterpart, Abdelouafi Laftit, disclosed the creation of a French-Moroccan working group focused on verifying the nationality of irregular migrants in France, intending to facilitate their readmission to their countries of origin.
With Morocco and France's diplomatic ties at an all-time high, marked by high-level visits, productive talks, and even Morocco's honored presence at the Paris Book Festival, there is every reason to believe that this pair will continue to tighten their union.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

After updating Morocco's map to include the Sahara, France revises the Kingdom's total area
After updating Morocco's map to include the Sahara, France revises the Kingdom's total area

Ya Biladi

time8 hours ago

  • Ya Biladi

After updating Morocco's map to include the Sahara, France revises the Kingdom's total area

France continues to update its official data on Morocco following its recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. After publishing the kingdom's complete map, including the southern provinces, on October 29, 2024, French diplomacy has now updated Morocco's official area on its website—raising it from 446,550 km² to 710,850 km². This update reflects the political decisions made by Paris, notably following the letter sent by President Emmanuel Macron to King Mohammed VI on July 30, 2024. Earlier this week, the French ambassador inaugurated a visa application office in Laayoune, marking another step in this policy shift. This opening follows the announcement of a €150 million investment in Morocco's Saharan provinces, made by the Director General of the French Development Agency (AFD) during a visit to Laayoune. It's worth recalling that in February, both the President of the Senate, Gérard Larcher, and the Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, visited Laâyoune and Dakhla separately.

Morocco and EU strengthen strategic partnership for Sahel peace and security
Morocco and EU strengthen strategic partnership for Sahel peace and security

Ya Biladi

timea day ago

  • Ya Biladi

Morocco and EU strengthen strategic partnership for Sahel peace and security

On Friday in Rabat, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Living Abroad, Nasser Bourita, met with João Cravinho, the European Union (EU) Special Representative for the Sahel region. Following the meeting, Cravinho told the press that the EU enjoys a «fruitful and very strong relationship» with Morocco, describing it as highly versatile and covering multiple areas. He emphasized that cooperation and dialogue with the Kingdom are a «top priority». «The close ties Morocco maintains with the Sahel countries provide us with valuable insights, a deeper understanding, and opportunities to identify joint initiatives that benefit the people of the Sahel», Cravinho said. He highlighted that the Sahel region is «fragile both in terms of security and socio-economic conditions — two closely linked challenges that require urgent attention». He added that both the EU and Morocco have a critical role to play in addressing these issues. Cravinho also explained that his visit aims to explore ways to strengthen the EU-Morocco partnership regarding the Sahel, with the goal of advancing peace and security for the region's populations.

EU Looks to Morocco to Rebuild Ties with Sahel States
EU Looks to Morocco to Rebuild Ties with Sahel States

Morocco World

timea day ago

  • Morocco World

EU Looks to Morocco to Rebuild Ties with Sahel States

Doha – The European Union is seeking to harness Morocco's established regional influence to restore its deteriorating relationships with Sahel countries, as evidenced by EU Special Representative João Cravinho's diplomatic visit to Rabat on Friday. Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita welcomed Cravinho in high-level talks that underscored the strategic potential for coordinated initiatives between the EU and Morocco in addressing the multifaceted challenges confronting the Sahel region. 'The EU maintains a fruitful, very strong relationship with Morocco, with multiple dimensions,' Cravinho stated during his press briefing after the meeting. He stressed that partnership with Morocco represents a 'priority of great importance' for the European bloc. Morocco's friendship with AES members solidifies its strategic appeal The diplomat particularly valued Morocco's connections with Sahel countries, describing them as 'a very important source of knowledge, understanding, and identification of joint work paths for the benefit of the Sahel peoples.' Cravinho acknowledged the dual vulnerabilities affecting the Sahel region – both security and socioeconomic instability – characterizing these as substantial hurdles requiring coordinated intervention from both the EU and Morocco. 'The aim of my visit is to explore ways to deepen the relationship between the European Union and Morocco concerning the Sahel region, to achieve common objectives of peace and security for the benefit of the populations in this region,' he elaborated. Since taking office in November 2024, Cravinho has worked to rebuild EU relations with three key Sahel countries – Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso – where military juntas have assumed control. He had previously outlined this diplomatic approach during his February consultations in Niamey. The geopolitical landscape of the region has undergone profound transformation since Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger formally withdrew from ECOWAS on January 29. Following their departure, these countries have intensified the development of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), now structured as a sovereign confederation. This new entity aims to strengthen their political, economic, and security autonomy outside traditional West African frameworks, with the AES having already launched a common biometric passport, abolished telephone roaming charges, and adopted a common official anthem in May. Morocco's cordial relations with these Sahel states position it as an instrumental facilitator in Cravinho's diplomatic mission. Morocco's diplomatic weight was evident in December 2024 when King Mohammed VI's mediation led to the release of four French intelligence agents held in Burkina Faso. Following this diplomatic success, French President Emmanuel Macron personally contacted the monarch to express his gratitude for the North African country's crucial role in securing their freedom. Morocco as both an aspirational economic hub and the guardian of regional integration Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Chad have all endorsed the royal initiative aiming to provide Sahel states with Atlantic Ocean access. In a noteworthy diplomatic development, King Mohammed VI received the foreign ministers of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso on April 28. This high-level meeting occurred amid escalating regional tensions, particularly between these Sahel countries and Algeria. In early April, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso recalled their ambassadors from Algiers, accusing Algeria of downing a Malian drone near the Algerian border in late March. The economic aspects of Morocco's Sahel engagement are equally compelling. Currently, Moroccan exports to the four AES countries total approximately $300 million, while the overall trade potential reaches an estimated $2.23 billion – indicating a realization rate of merely 11.44%. For the EU, collaboration with Morocco offers a pragmatic avenue to re-engagement with a region where its influence has declined. Observers note that Morocco has emerged as a trusted intermediary in regional diplomacy, maintaining productive relations with both European powers and the new leadership in Sahel countries. The Dakhla-N'Djamena corridor initiative represents a key pillar in Morocco's strategy to promote economic integration and regional cohesion. Designed to go beyond a simple transport route, the project aims to establish a full-fledged economic development corridor that boosts trade and unlocks opportunities for landlocked Sahelian countries. Central to this vision is the Atlantic Port of Dakhla, expected to be operational by 2029. The megaport is projected to handle up to 35 million tons of cargo annually and offer secure Atlantic access to Sahel-Saharan countries. Amid ongoing geopolitical recalibrations across the Sahel, Morocco's measured diplomacy and growing strategic capital have made it an indispensable interlocutor – uniquely positioned to bridge European interests with Sahelian imperatives in a region fraught with volatility and competing influence. Read also: British Think Tank: Morocco Steps Up as Sahel Security Anchor Tags: Morocco and EuropeMorocco and SahelSahel countries

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store