French Ambassador Downplays Tensions with Morocco, Citing ’Misunderstandings’

For several months now, diplomatic relations between France and Morocco have been tense. Some speak of a diplomatic crisis. Christophe Lecourtier, the current French ambassador to Morocco, takes a very different view of this news. In an interview with Arab News, he rejects the term diplomatic crisis between Rabat and Paris. According to him, there are only "misunderstandings", "misunderstandings", or even "small turbulences".

One of the issues that annoys Rabat is the adoption on January 19 by MEPs of a resolution noting the deterioration of human rights in Morocco. France is accused of being behind this action. Accusations rejected by French President Emmanuel Macron, who recently assured that his country is in no way at the origin of this resolution. "This resolution does not commit France," reiterated Christophe Lecourtier. "There are constructions that we read on social networks or in the press that are extraordinarily convoluted and that attribute to France a role that it has not played," he added, before wondering: "What interest would France have in using the European Parliament against Morocco, which is a major partner and with which it nurtures great projects for the future?"

The French diplomat also pledged to work to warm up relations between the two countries. "There is so much to do to build the future of the French presence in Morocco, the future of the bilateral relationship and with modesty the future of Morocco. There are so many prospects for development in this country. It’s a very exciting mission!" he said.