French President Emmanuel Macron said, Wednesday in Rabat, that his country would like to draw inspiration from Morocco’s actions in Africa, namely in the Sahel region.
Morocco’s stability, openness and development are “unrivaled assets which we recognize at their true value and which can inspire many joint initiatives” in these regions, the French President underlined in a speech delivered during a joint session of the two Houses of Parliament, on the occasion of his State visit to the Kingdom at the invitation of His Majesty the King.
Macron took the opportunity to express France’s commitment to building renewed relations with the peoples and states of Africa, noting that Morocco, “by virtue of its geography, history, culture and the vision of its Sovereigns, has long affirmed its vocation as a platform, a channel, a singular path.”
In this respect, he emphasized the continent’s need for a stability that respects its peoples, and for development projects for Africa’s youth.
Counting on this new strategy to enable France and Morocco to work together in this region, French President vowed his country’s determination to “build a new partnership strategy.”
This new partnership with Africa is one that “we want to build together,” across the continent, through education, agriculture, ecological projects, digital technology and energy, Macron said, noting that joint actions are available in these areas.
“Between Morocco and France, there is a history that belongs to us. It opens towards Europe and it opens towards Africa,” Macron added, hailing in this respect the Vision of His Majesty the King for the development of the continent.
He also stressed that Morocco will always play a part as a gateway to “a dream Africa.”
Face to the challenges of the century, French President sees in the unique bond of friendship between Paris and Rabat a “historic opportunity,” and even “a strategic duty” to build, between the two countries, but also between the European Union and the Maghreb, and beyond Africa, “a project that offers to our peoples, our economies, the possibility of prosperity, security, an absolutely new horizon.”
