France Tightens Visa Rules for North African Countries, Citing Immigration Concerns

"This is not blackmail," Schiappa defended herself on Wednesday on France info, while specifying that "the objective in itself is not to reduce visas".

In her explanations, France points the finger at the responsibility of the three countries, which "do not accept to take back their nationals". They are accused of not issuing enough "consular laissez-passer" necessary for the return of immigrants rejected from the Hexagon.

"There are a number of tools that are available to France and we use them, Marlène Schiappa continued. What the Republicans are calling for is to cut development aid, we don’t want that. The reaction of the countries concerned shows that this decision is affecting them," she rejoiced.

In the wake, Morocco’s reaction did not wait. Nasser Bourita expressed his outrage, stating that this measure is an "unjustified decision".

"Morocco has always managed the migration issue and the flow of people, with a logic of responsibility and balance between facilitating the movement of people [...] and the fight against illegal migration," he said.

And to add that "the decision (of France) is sovereign. Morocco will study it, but the reasons justifying it require precision, dialogue, because they do not reflect reality."