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Rabat – France, which holds a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, has renewed its steadfast position in support of Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara.
French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot received his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita, on Wednesday, reviewing the “strengthened exceptional partnership” that unites the two countries, a statement from the French Foreign Affairs Ministry reads.
During the meeting, France reiterated its “firm” and “consistent” position, emphasizing that the present and future of the Western Sahara fall within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty.
“The Autonomy Plan proposed by Morocco in 2007, which enjoys growing international support, remains the only basis for achieving a just, lasting, and negotiated political solution,” the French ministry added.
France emphasized that it remains firmly committed to the UN in supporting a final political settlement to the dispute.
In the meeting, the two officials discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest, with France welcoming the prospects of strengthening the Euro-Moroccan and Euro-Mediterranean partnerships in all dimensions.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to boosting Morocco-France cooperation, contributing to the resolution of regional and international crises, the French ministry added.
France’s position of renewal comes a few weeks before the UN Security Council vote on a new Western Sahara resolution.
The pre-vote context is marked by continuous and growing support for Morocco’s position regarding the dispute, as over 120 countries support the Autonomy Plan as a serious and credible political solution to end the issue.
France has, over the years, consistently supported Morocco’s autonomy initiative, and its position was solidified when it decided to endorse the proposal as the sole political solution to resolve the 50-year-old conflict.
In July last year, France recognized Morocco’s full sovereignty over its southern provinces, with Emmanuel Macron emphasizing that the “present and the future” of Western Sahara fall within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty.
France also emphasized its determination to support the development of southern provinces for the benefit of local populations.
At the beginning of this month, French and Moroccan business leaders met in Dakhla for a high-level economic forum that was coordinated in partnership between the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) and the Movement of Enterprises in France (MEDEF). The gathering further materialized France’s pledge to strengthen the already robust economic and commercial ties between the two countries, specifically in Morocco’s southern provinces.
