France reaffirms unwavering support for Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara

France has reaffirmed its “unwavering” position on the issue of the Moroccan Sahara, emphasizing that “for France, the present and future of Western Sahara lie within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty.”
This support was reiterated in a statement released Tuesday by the French Foreign Ministry following a meeting between French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and his Moroccan peer Nasser Bourita.

The statement reiterated the position expressed by President Emmanuel Macron in the letter he had addressed to King Mohammed VI on July 30, 2024, and in an address he had made before the Moroccan Parliament during his state visit to the Kingdom in October last year. President Macron had emphasized that “for France, the present and future of Western Sahara lie within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty,” while recalling the “unwavering nature of France’s position” and its commitment to “act consistently with this position at both the national and international levels.”

The French official also reiterated France’s “clear and consistent support for the autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty,” describing it as “the only framework within which this issue should be resolved” and stressing that it is “the sole basis” for reaching a political solution, the statement said.

Jean-Noël Barrot, the statement added, noted the “growing international consensus” in support of Morocco’s autonomy initiative, affirming that France intends to fully contribute to this momentum.

France also reaffirmed its commitment “to support Morocco’s significant efforts in promoting economic and social development” in the southern provinces of the Kingdom, highlighted the various measures taken in this regard, and expressed its willingness to continue this dynamic, according to the statement.

Additionally, France praised Morocco’s active commitment in multilateral forums on issues related to peace, stability, and development, and reaffirmed determination to pursue “close consultation (with the Kingdom) in this area and to promote joint initiatives.”

In this regard, Jean-Noël Barrot noted that the third United Nations Ocean Conference, to be held in Nice this June, would be an opportunity to showcase the valuable contribution of the Franco-Moroccan partnership in the defense of global public goods. The French Foreign Minister also welcomed Morocco’s ratification of the United Nations ‘High Seas Treaty’.

The two Foreign Ministers, the statement added, also exchanged views on regional and international issues, particularly Euro-Mediterranean relations, the situation in the Middle East, and developments across the African continent.

“They reaffirmed their desire to place Franco-Moroccan cooperation at the service of resolving regional crises and defending the international legal order,” expressing “in particular, their commitment to working jointly in Africa through a shared roadmap.”

At the level of bilateral relations, the two officials welcomed the prospect of holding a High-Level Meeting in Morocco this coming fall, and expressed their satisfaction at the unprecedented dynamism scored by the two countries’ relationship, for which “a new chapter” has begun, as described during the meeting between the President of France and King Mohammed VI in October 2024.

In this context, both ministers reaffirmed their countries’ determination to strengthen, preserve, and defend the “enhanced exceptional partnership” launched during the French President’s state visit to Morocco, the statement noted.