France and Morocco Normalize Visa Relations, Ending Diplomatic Tensions

Visiting Morocco to prepare the upcoming visit of French President Emmanuel Macron scheduled for "the first quarter of 2023", Catherine Colonna took the opportunity to address some of the issues that have cooled relations between the two countries. "We have taken measures, with our Moroccan partners, to restore a normal consular relationship" in the migration field, said Catherine Colonna, during the joint press conference with her counterpart Nasser Bourita. The French Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed that France wished "to be in an exemplary partnership relationship with Morocco, an exceptional, fraternal and modern partnership", reports BFMTV.

In September 2021, the French authorities had decided to reduce by 50% the number of visas granted to Moroccans. A controversial decision by Rabat and humanitarian organizations. "Morocco has officially refrained from commenting, out of respect, on a unilateral and sovereign decision by France," Nasser Bourita explained for his part. "Today, the decision is a unilateral decision that Morocco respects, and will not officially comment on, but which is going in the right direction," added the Moroccan Foreign Minister.

Catherine Colonna arrived in Rabat on Thursday evening where she met several personalities including the king’s advisers and her Moroccan counterpart. She also went to the Mohammed V Mausoleum to pay her respects at the tombs of King Mohammed V and Hassan II.