French President on state visit to Morocco on Oct. 28-30

At the invitation of King Mohammed VI, French President Emmanuel Macron, accompanied by his spouse Brigitte Macron, will pay a state visit to Morocco on October 28-30, the Moroccan Ministry of the Royal Household, Protocol and Chancellery said in a statement.

“This visit reflects the depth of bilateral relations, based on a deep-rooted and solid partnership, thanks to the common desire of the two Heads of State to strengthen the multidimensional ties uniting the two countries,” the the statement said.

On July 31, King Mohammed VI had invited President Macron to visit the Kingdom, following “the clear and strong position” adopted by France on the Moroccan Sahara.

In a message sent to Macron in answer to the latter’s letter expressing France’s clear support for Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara, the King told the French President: “It is with interest that I received the important message you addressed to me on the occasion of the 25th Throne Day anniversary”.

In his letter to the King backing Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara, Macron said “that the present and future of Western Sahara are within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty.”

In his answer, the Monarch said “I would like to thank you for your warm wishes and your personal commitment to strengthening partnership between our two countries,” adding that he fully appreciates France’s clear support for Morocco’s sovereignty over this part of its territory, the resolute French support for autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty to settle this regional dispute, thereby establishing the plan proposed by Morocco, since 2007, as the only basis for achieving it.

“By recognizing Morocco’s legal titles and immemorial rights, France contributes in strengthening the international momentum that many countries are already supporting and thus putting an end to a conflict inherited from another era”, underlined the King in his letter.

“Thanks to the significant development of the French position and Your determination to act accordingly at internal and international levels, our two countries will work together to reach a solution that, within the framework of the United Nations, fully respects Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara,” said the royal letter.

“The Moroccan people and its vital forces are fully aware of the importance of this decision, adopted by a permanent member of the Security Council, an intimate connoisseur of the past and present of North Africa and a privileged witness to the development of this regional dispute”, underlined the King in his letter addressed to Macron.

“Thanks to the positive momentum that our bilateral relations are experiencing, promising prospects are opening up for our two countries in many strategic sectors, making it possible to strengthen the exceptional partnership built over decades on friendship and trust,” underlined the Monarch.

Earlier this October, King Mohammed VI expressed thanks to the French President for his crystal-clear support for Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara and for his backing to the autonomy plan as the only basis for a reaching solution to the Sahara regional dispute.

In a speech he delivered on Friday Oct. 11 at the opening of the Parliament fall session, the Monarch expressed on behalf of the Moroccan people his most sincere thanks to France and to President Macron for “this unequivocal support for the Sahara as a Moroccan territory.”

“The French Republic now supports the sovereignty of the Kingdom over the entire territory of the Sahara. It also backs the Autonomy Initiative within the framework of Morocco’s territorial integrity as the sole basis for resolving this artificial regional conflict,” underlined the King.

France’s confirmed stand opens new prospects for deepening further the deep relations and fruitful partnership binding the two countries.