Rabat: Different aspects of cooperation between Morocco and France were spotlighted Thursday in Rabat during a session held as part of the Morocco-France Parliamentary Forum (January 29-30), attended by representatives from the four legislative houses of the two countries.
According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the session was held under the theme “New Horizons for Bilateral Cooperation” and featured participation from members of Morocco’s House of Representatives and House of Councillors, as well as the French National Assembly and Senate. President of the French Senate, Gerard Larcher, highlighted that Morocco and France have opened new horizons for cooperation through extensive partnerships and broader geographical perspectives. He emphasized the major structural projects like the high-speed rail line (LGV) and remarked on Morocco’s strategic position at the crossroads of European and African routes.
Larcher praised Morocco’s significant progress in various sectors, including research, new technologies, digital technology, artificial intelligence, aeronautics, renewable energies, green hydrogen, and the blue economy. He noted that diplomatic barriers hindering France’s presence in Morocco’s Southern provinces have been lifted, encouraging both large companies and SMEs to invest in these regions. He also mentioned Morocco’s potential to become a hub for French-speaking higher education in Africa, with more prestigious schools establishing themselves in the Kingdom.
The partnership between Morocco and France represents “shared success,” strengthening each nation through the other’s assets and sending a strong message of growth and trust to Europe and Africa. Mohamed Tarik Bchir, Director of the Treasury and External Finance at Morocco’s Ministry of Economy and Finance, reinforced the close economic and financial relationship between the two countries, highlighting France as a major economic partner of Morocco. He noted the expansion of the French Agency for Development in Morocco’s Southern provinces as a sign of trust and a lever for territorial development aligned with the Royal Vision for the Moroccan Sahara.
The debate also explored cooperation in civil society, parliamentary diplomacy, youth, the Francophone world, the environment, and co-location. Since its inception in 2013, the Morocco-France Parliamentary Forum has served as a platform for dialogue, consultation, and exchange between Moroccan and French parliamentarians, focusing on coordinating positions and exploring common interests.