Moroccan Lawmakers Urge Visa Requirements for Europeans in Reciprocity Push

– bySylvanus@Bladi · 1 min read
Moroccan Lawmakers Urge Visa Requirements for Europeans in Reciprocity Push

Faced with the persistence of difficulties for Moroccans wishing to obtain "Schengen" visas, parliamentary advisors Khaled Setti and Loubna Alaoui of the National Union of Labor within the House of Advisors, have called on Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Residing Abroad, to impose a visa on European nationals as part of a "reciprocity" policy.

"While many European countries are making significant revenues from the visas imposed on Moroccans, our country allows citizens of these countries to enter the territory without a visa," explained the two parliamentarians in a question addressed to the head of Moroccan diplomacy, arguing that this situation not only constitutes a violation of the principle of reciprocity, but also results in a considerable loss of revenue for the kingdom. They then question Nasser Bourita on the means to implement a reciprocity policy in terms of travel visas.

In 2022, many Moroccan executives of French companies established in the kingdom, Moroccan parents of French citizens, young Moroccans, as well as Moroccan businessmen wishing to travel to France for medical reasons, studies or other purposes, were denied French visas without any justification. Some Moroccans had to face huge difficulties, particularly the administrative procedures, the cost of compiling the file and making an appointment.

Despite the improvement in the "visa crisis" last year, particularly for young people wishing to pursue their studies in Europe, for those requiring medical care, or for families wishing to spend their holidays in a European country, Moroccans seeking "Schengen" visas continue to face difficulties.