France Reaffirms Support for Moroccan Sovereignty Over Western Sahara

The French government has reiterated its stance on the Western Sahara issue, emphasizing that the territory's present and future must be considered as part of Moroccan sovereignty. This position was reaffirmed following a meeting between French and Moroccan Foreign Ministers, Jean-Noël Barrot and Nasser Bourita, in Essaouira. The French government views Morocco's 2007 autonomy plan as the sole viable solution to the conflict.

The meeting between Barrot and Bourita highlighted the strong partnership between France and Morocco, which has been strengthened since French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to Morocco two years ago. The two ministers expressed satisfaction with the progress made in various areas of cooperation and looked forward to concluding a bilateral treaty between the two nations.

France and Morocco have also discussed several regional and international issues, including the situation in the Middle East and the Sahel region. Barrot emphasized France's commitment to using its cooperation with Morocco to help resolve crises in these regions. The two countries aim to consolidate their bilateral cooperation and demonstrate convergence on several key issues.

The French government has stressed the importance of maintaining dialogue to resolve the Western Sahara conflict. Barrot called for continued discussions and reaffirmed France's support for the United Nations' efforts, based on Resolution 2797. The French government views the autonomy plan presented by Morocco as a crucial step towards a negotiated solution.

The reaffirmation of France's support for Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara comes amid ongoing efforts to resolve the long-standing conflict. The issue remains a key concern for the international community, with various countries and organizations advocating for a peaceful and negotiated solution.

The partnership between France and Morocco extends beyond the Western Sahara issue, with the two countries cooperating on various economic, cultural, and security matters. The meeting between Barrot and Bourita demonstrates the commitment of both nations to strengthening their bilateral relations and addressing regional challenges.

The French government's stance on Western Sahara is seen as a significant development in the region, with implications for the ongoing conflict and the international community's efforts to resolve it. The reaffirmation of France's support for Moroccan sovereignty underscores the complexities of the issue and the need for continued dialogue and cooperation.

Key points

• France considers the present and future of Western Sahara to be "intangible" within Moroccan sovereignty.
• The French government views Morocco's 2007 autonomy plan as the sole viable solution to the Western Sahara conflict.
• France and Morocco aim to consolidate their bilateral cooperation and demonstrate convergence on several regional and international issues.