Rabat – French President H.E. Mr. Emmanuel Macron called, here Tuesday, for developing new partnerships between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of France, ‘by mobilizing our economic, technological, academic and artistic forces.’
In a speech delivered during a joint session of the two Houses of Parliament, on the occasion of the State visit which he started on Monday in the Kingdom at the invitation of HM the King, Macron said that he is convinced that strengthening the common destiny between the two countries in key areas will contribute to the development and mastery of the future.
In this respect, Macron stressed that the exceptional partnership between the two countries is necessary for our times ‘in a global landscape that is also undergoing accelerated transformation.’
In this context, the French Head of State noted that ‘at a time when His Majesty King Mohammed VI and I decided to write a new book together, I want to share with you that I am certain that these ties will continue to grow ever
stronger.’
He added that the two countries are now destined to lay the foundations ‘for a reinforced exceptional partnership’ and to offer the generations of the 25 next years this new book, lucid about the past, but turned towards the future.’
In addition to illegal immigration and the need for fluid consular cooperation, he mentioned bilateral partnership in the field of security, and anti-trafficking of all kinds, particularly terrorism, organized crime and drug trafficking.
Regarding bilateral cooperation sectors, Macron cited education and higher education, French companies that have believed in Morocco and ‘today make France the leading foreign investor as well as a significant and growing creator of skilled jobs,’ as well as the French Development Agency (AFD), of which Morocco is the world’s leading partner.
Macron also stressed the launch of the Moroccan high-speed train, the development of cultural and creative industries to make them a central element of attractiveness, but also of employabilit
y for youth, infrastructure, energy, water and waste treatment.
He underlined the importance of energy transition and the fight against global warming, an area in which Morocco and France ‘have played a leading role internationally,’ praising the Kingdom’s ‘resolute action’ on water and adaptation.
‘Few countries, I believe, have taken up this challenge with such zeal and innovation,’ Macron said, noting the relevance of Morocco’s policies on water highways and seawater desalination to guarantee access to drinking water and sustainable irrigation.
In this respect, ‘Morocco has a lot to teach the rest of the world,’ he said, adding that the Kingdom, which already boasts some of the largest solar and wind farms in Africa, ‘has laid the foundations that will soon enable it to become a major stakeholder in renewables, from electrons to green hydrogen’.
The French Head of State said he was convinced that Morocco would succeed not only in decarbonizing domestic and industrial consumption, but also in offering E
urope a stable and secure local supply.
‘I am indeed convinced that the future of the Mediterranean will also be written by these green hydrogen and electricity corridors that will link our two countries,’ he emphasized.
Macron added that the co-location of critical industrial sectors has enabled Morocco to become an efficient and complementary production platform for French and European industry, noting that the new post-pandemic stage of globalization requires ‘a sustainable approach to the integration of value chains between Europe and Africa.’
He underlined France’s determination to forge new academic partnerships with Morocco in the industrial, healthcare and digital sectors, as well as in agriculture, which is vital to food security.
‘What I’m hoping and praying for in all the areas I’ve just mentioned is the next book in our relationship, which is in the words of His Majesty the King, one that doesn’t hesitate to shake up traditional achievements and frameworks in order to achieve as many aspiratio
ns as possible.’
‘I believe that beyond our two countries, this new book also brings with it the possibility of writing a new page in the future and development of the African continent,’ he concluded.
Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse