French President Emmanuel Macron has unveiled plans for a triangular partnership between France, Morocco and Africa to foster cooperation in key sectors for growth, stability and development.
Mr Macron announced this on Tuesday in Rabat while addressing a joint session of the two Houses of the Moroccan parliament.
The address formed part of the activities of the French president’s three-day visit to the Northern African country.
He said the partnership between France, Morocco, and Africa would be premised on education, agriculture, ecological projects, digital technology, and energy.
Mr Macron stressed the importance of the Moroccan-French partnership in Africa, underlining the vision of the Moroccan King, Mohammed VI, for the continent.
“Morocco, by virtue of its geography, its history, its culture and the vision of its sovereigns, has long affirmed its vocation as a platform, a channel, a singular path,” Mr Macron said.
He said this underlined that the Kingdom’s stability, openness and development “are unrivalled assets which we recognise at their true value and which can inspire many joint initiatives.”
Speaking on the Moroccan-Western Sahara issue, Mr Macron reiterated the support of Paris for Morocco’s sovereignty over the contentious region.
“For France, the present and future of this territory lie within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty. The autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the framework within which this issue must be resolved.
“The 2007 autonomy plan constitutes the only basis for achieving a just, lasting and negotiated political solution in line with the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council,” he said.
He said Paris’ position was rooted in history, respectful of realities, and promising for the future, and it was the one that France would implement to support Morocco at international forums.
Turning to the situation in the Middle East, Mr Macron paid tribute to King Mohammed VI’s action of providing urgent humanitarian aid to the Palestinian and Lebanese populations.
“I salute his mobilisation and that of all Morocco in favour of de-escalation, resumption of dialogue and the relaunch of a credible political process.
“In the current cacophony, in which extremes on all sides are indulging, Morocco has a strong and singular voice,” he said
Mr Macron said Morocco and France were destined to lay the foundations for a reinforced exceptional partnership and offer the generations of the next 25 years a new vision.
He lauded the values of diversity, dialogue, and tolerance, adding that they remain at the heart of Morocco’s people, institutions, and constitution.
“The tolerant Islam promoted by His Majesty the King, commander of the faithful, challenges all forms of extremism,” he said.
