French Economy Minister Visits Morocco to Mend Strained Relations

On the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings he is attending in Marrakech, Bruno Le Maire met with the Moroccan Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch. The two officials reportedly discussed key issues, including the current political-diplomatic crisis between Paris and Rabat and ways to ease tensions. "Between France and Morocco, the time seems to have come to relaunch the bilateral relationship. This is at least the wish of French officials who are sparing no effort," a press release reads.

This trip by Bruno Le Maire is the "sign of a warming of the bilateral relationship" between the two countries, the French daily L’Opinion believes. A bilateral relationship that "needs to be renewed," a source at the Élysée told the French media, stressing that "Morocco is a long-standing friend, will remain so and will remain a very close Maghreb country for a long time. There are objective reasons today to do things differently than in the past."

For the French daily, the solution to the crisis between Paris and Rabat will be political. "The key to the definitive thaw will be political. France, which once played the role of the best ally, is perceived as a lagging partner," it analyzes, ensuring that discreet negotiations are underway to change France’s position on the Sahara issue. The French president could in a statement "recognize the Moroccan autonomy plan as ’the’ and not ’a’ credible and serious solution to settle the Western Sahara dispute," it comments.

"Morocco has greatly diversified its economic partnerships in recent years, intensifying its exchanges in particular with Spain and China," the French daily also noted, explaining that after its disillusionment with Algeria, Paris "seems to be mourning it to prioritize the kingdom."