French ambassador to pay visit to Laayoune, Dakhla

The French ambassador Christophe Lecourtier will be visiting the cities of Dakhla and Laayoune to meet the local population and local officials and explore cooperation paths, the French embassy to Rabat said.

Lecourtier’s visit comes a few days after French President Macron reiterated full support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara territory.

The visit is also the second of its kind by an ambassador of a global power recognizing Morocco’s full territorial integrity after that of the US ambassador in 2020, after the US backed Morocco’s rights to the Sahara.

During his three-day visit, Lecourtier will hold talks with leaders in the field of politics and the economy as well as representatives of strategic institutions and development programs.

His agenda includes a visit to the UM6P University of Laayoune and the Atlantic port of Dakhla and the city’s desalination plant which are both under construction by French energy firm Engie.

During the trip, the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Morocco (CFCIM) will be organizing a conference bringing together the business community of the region along with other Moroccan and French firms.

During the visit by Macron to Rabat, French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot said his country was interested in expanding partnership with Morocco, including in the Southern Provinces, the Sahara.

He said France will also extend its consular and cultural services to the Sahara territory.