Rabat: France’s position on the Sahara issue is influencing other European countries to ‘start to change their minds,’ French President Emmanuel Macron said. In an interview with 2M and Medi1 TV channels, broadcast on Wednesday evening, Macron emphasized that for France, it is a matter of ‘resolutely and diplomatically committing ourselves alongside Morocco so as the present and future of Southern Provinces are indeed part of Moroccan sovereignty’.
According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, Macron described this diplomatic stance as vital not only for Morocco and the bilateral relationship between the two countries but also for the stability and integration of the entire region. The French President, during his state visit to Morocco at the invitation of HM the King, underscored that France’s decision is aimed at regional cohesion rather than opposition to any party. He noted that stability, commitment, strength, and confidence are essential for the region’s development.
France’s commitment extends to economic investments, with the French Development Agency and French companies planning to increase their investments in Morocco’s Southern Provinces. Macron highlighted projects in desalination, ports, infrastructure development, and energy promotion as part of a forward-looking strategy.
Macron also spoke on the historical ties between Morocco and France, citing the signing of 22 agreements during his visit as a testament to renewed trust between the two nations. He praised Morocco’s leadership in renewable energy and the potential for mutual benefits through collaboration in this sector, emphasizing Morocco’s role in decarbonizing economies on both sides of the Mediterranean.
Reflecting on the warm reception he received in Morocco, Macron expressed deep appreciation for the hospitality extended by the Moroccan people and leadership, describing the moments as ‘heart-to-heart and face-to-face’. He reiterated the spontaneous and evident nature of the relationship between the two countries, committed to nurturing this bond further.