M. Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, had a meeting yesterday with his Moroccan counterpart, Mr Nasser Bourita,.
The two ministers welcomed the unprecedented dynamism of the bilateral relationship between France and Morocco, which has opened a “new book”, according to the expression used during the meeting between President Macron and His Majesty King Mohammed VI in October 2024. In this regard, the two ministers reaffirmed the determination of the two countries to strengthen, protect and defend the “enhanced exceptional partnership” launched during President Macron’s state visit to Morocco, at the invitation of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
They took stock of the partnership’s implementation in every area and agreed to continue deepening it, as has been done in particular through many reciprocal visits and the implementation of the many agreements signed on the occasion. They looked forward to the prospect of holding a High-Level Meeting in Morocco next autumn.
The Minister recalled the inviolable position expressed by President Macron: for France, the present and future of Western Sahara fall within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty. Autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the framework within which this issue must be resolved. France’s support for the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco in 2007, which has met with an increasingly broad international consensus, is clear and steadfast.
This is the only basis for reaching a fair, lasting, negotiated political solution in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions. In this context, the Minister recalled France’s support for the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy, and encouraged all parties to come together for a political settlement, which is within reach. The Minister also reiterated France’s commitment to supporting Morocco’s significant efforts to promote the economic and social development of these regions, to the benefit of the local population. He stated the various measures adopted by France to this end and signalled his desire for this momentum to continue.
The two ministers discussed regional and international issues, particularly Euro-Mediterranean relations, the situation in the Middle East, and the African continent. They reaffirmed their commitment to using Franco-Moroccan cooperation to resolve regional crises and uphold the international legal order. In particular, they voiced their wish to work jointly in Africa, through a common road map.
The Minister welcomed Morocco’s commitment to multilateral forums on issues of peace, stability, and development, and reaffirmed its commitment to continuing our close cooperation in this area and to undertaking joint initiatives. In this regard, he indicated that the Third United Nations Ocean Conference, to be held in Nice in June, would be an opportunity to illustrate the important contribution that can be made by the Franco-Moroccan partnership in defending global public goods. The Minister also welcomed the Kingdom of Morocco’s ratification of the United Nations Treaty on the High Seas.
(15 April 2025)
