Visiting Morocco, French Foreign Trade Minister Franck Riester met several Moroccan ministers and numerous economic partners, but above all announced French investments in Western Sahara. A gesture on a very sensitive subject for Morocco which has been calling on France for several months to recognize its sovereignty over this region.
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With our correspondent in Rabat, Victor Mauriat
In front of an amphitheater full of students from the Central School of Casablanca, Frank Riester is comfortable. The image was rare Morocco for two years. A normal visit by a French minister has not happened since the falling out between the two countries, notably after the Pegasus affair.
Read alsoThe relationship between France and Morocco “at a moment of renewal” after 18 months of tensions
And to revive these relations, what could be better than economic partnership. “ I am here to contribute to the recovery, the rebound, the deepening of the relationship between France and Moroccodeclared the French Minister of Foreign Trade. And, of course, the economic and commercial dimension is a lever on which we must rely as part of this recovery and this rebound. »
Morocco is France’s leading trading partner in Africa.
Meeting with my counterpart @MezzourR to further strengthen our cooperation in aeronautics, rail and energy. 🇫🇷 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/2pNp2OOA1I
— Franck Riester (@franckriester) April 4, 2024
The economy at the heart of reconciliation, even in very political subjects. “ We too wish to support a certain number of investments in the Sahara. This is the reason why Proparco could finance in particular the high voltage line between Dakhla and Casablanca », announced Franck Riester.
Very sensitive subject
Faced with Morocco’s insistence, France made the choice of investment so as not to have to contravene international law on the Sahara issue. This region, disputed since 1975, sees Morocco and the Polisario Front clash, which, supported by Algeria, is demanding independence. A very sensitive subject for Rabat, which this time seems to be content with the French economic response.
A rebound in several stages: visits from Ministers of the Economy Bruno Le Maire and of Agriculture Marc Fesneau are also expected before the end of the month.
Trade between Paris and Rabat reached a record of 14 billion euros last year, and France is the leading foreign investor in Morocco with almost all CAC 40 companies represented and 1,000 French subsidiaries, recalls ‘AFP. Morocco is the leading African investor in France, with a stock of direct investments increasing from 372 million euros in 2015 to 1.8 billion in 2022.