France Confirms Interest in Morocco’s Development Projects in Southern Provinces

Rabat – France has confirmed interest in contributing to Morocco’s efforts and development projects in the southern provinces, including Dakhla.

AFP reported on Thursday that French Delegate Minister for Foreign Trade, Franck Riester, has confirmed his country’s interest in supporting Morocco’s development projects in the southern provinces.

France is “ready to support these efforts,” the French minister said during his two-day visit to the North African country, noting that a subsidiary of the French Development Agency (AFD) could contribute to financing a high-voltage line between Dakhla and Casablanca.

The remarks came in the aftermath of converging reports suggesting that France is interested in investing in Morocco’s southern provinces.

The reports signal France’s efforts to take bold steps to amend the damaged bilateral ties with Morocco as Moroccan observers and officials had long expressed their frustration over Paris’ ambiguity on the Western Sahara question.

As an increasingly assertive Morocco defied and distanced itself from France in the past few years, many argued that French ambiguity on the Sahara was the main reason behind Morocco’s growing determination to reconsider the terms of its formerly strategic cooperation with the European country. 

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After initially dismissing Morocco’s demands, France has in recent months signaled its readiness to address the alarming rupture of relations with Rabat. 

Riester reiterated this newfound French position regarding ties with Morocco, hailing the two countries’ evolving cooperation and noting that these ties are destined for a “future as strong and fruitful as our common past.

During his visit to Casablanca, the French minister said that the economic and commercial “dimension is absolutely a key element in the strong friendship and partnership between Morocco and France.”

He further emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation and developing coordination in health, agriculture, and agribusiness as well as new technologies.

“We will overcome all these challenges with the involvement of all actors in the economic ecosystem of both countries,” he said, concluding that shared commitment will enable Paris and Rabat to achieve their objectives.