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Rabat – 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 his first bilateral visit to Morocco as part of the two countries’ determination and commitment towards a new approach and a renewed partnership based on transparency and mutual respect.
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.
“We were the first to support the autonomy plan presented by Morocco in 2007. Our position is consistent with our policy,” he said.
He also pledged strong bilateral ties, announcing a desire to build a partnership for the next 30 years with Morocco.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita also commended the bilateral ties between the two countries, describing them as unique and extraordinary.
“I received today my colleague Stephane Sejourne who is on a working visit, this is his first trip to Morocco and first to the region and Africa in general,” Bourita said, also noting that the partnership between the two countries is “special” at all levels.
Bourita stated that the two countries agreed on a renewed partnership that would keep up with regional,global and local developments in the two countries.
Emphasizing Morocco’s strategic geopolitics, Bourita said that Morocco presents its partners with various opportunities, making the country both unique and important for its allies.
He 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’s visit comes as the two countries continue political dialogue to mend bilateral ties that have been marred in the past few years.
Paris’ ambiguity on the Western Sahara question was among the factors that were bound to create a diplomatic crisis between the two countries.
In addition to the Sahara dispute, observers attributed the crisis to France’s uneasiness with Morococ’s diplomatic assertiveness, especially after the EU Parliament adopted hostile resolutions last year against the North African country.
Morocco and France also pledged to boost cooperation to tackle regional crises, including in the Sahel, and renewed concerns about escalated tensions in the Middle East amid the Israeli Occupation Forces’ ongoing murderous campaign in Gaza.
In this regard, Morocco warned against further escalation and called for an immediate ceasefire.
