French new FM says will mend ties with Morocco, reiterates support for autonomy plan

French new foreign minister Stéphane Séjourné said he will invest in improving ties with Morocco and reaffirmed Paris support for the Sahara autonomy plan.

“The Republic’s President has personally asked me to invest in French-Moroccan relations to open a new chapter in our toes. I will be committed to that,” Sejourne told Ouest-France daily paper.

Ties between Morocco and France worsened in the two past years against the backdrop of a series of events, notably Paris falling short of following the USA’s full recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara, manoeuvres by French MPs against Moroccan interests at the European parliament, and Macron’s Algiers tropism.

There have been many contacts with Moroccan diplomacy, said Sejourne.

“Now, it is time to move forward. I will do everything in the upcoming weeks and months so that France and Morocco get closer,” he said, adding that his priority will be “rebuilding trust.”

He said France has a position that is “clear and steady in support for the autonomy plan since 2007.”