France’s Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Sejourne has renewed his country’s “clear” and “consistent” support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as a “serious and credible basis” to end the dispute over Western Sahara.
Sejourne made his remarks during a visit to Morocco.
In a joint press conference with his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita, Sejourne emphasized the need to “move forward” and boost the strong bilateral ties between the two countries at different levels.
On the Western Sahara dossier, Sejourne said that France knows the importance of the Sahara dispute as a primary cause in Morocco.
“This is an existential issue for Morocco. We know it,” Sejourne said, adding that he will personally ensure this.
He also pledged strong bilateral ties, announcing a desire to build a partnership for the next 30 years with Morocco.
Since late 2020, when the US formally acknowledged Rabat's sovereignty over the disputed territory contested by the Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, anticipation has brewed in the Kingdom for a parallel stance from Paris. Moroccans have been particularly upset by President Emmanuel Macron's desired rapprochement with Algeria.
Sejourne’s visit comes as the two countries continue political dialogue to mend bilateral ties that have been marred in the past few years.
Bourita also stressed the importance of a renewed partnership between Morocco and France and that these relations should be based on mutual respect, coordination, and win-win cooperation.
Sejourne proposed a partnership with Morocco focused over the next 30 years on renewable energies, training, and industrial development.
Ties have been tense between the two countries in the past years. In September 2021, France slashed the number of visas available to nationals from Maghreb countries, which sparked severe criticism in Morocco.
Moreover, France was discontent with an investigative report disclosing that the cell phones of French President Emmanuel Macron and members of the French government may have been among potential targets in 2019 of surveillance by Pegasus – a spyware made by the Israel-based NSO Group.
Rabat denied these accusations.
