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France moves to streamline return of looted African art under new restitution bill

In a landmark move, the French government has unveiled a new bill aimed at simplifying the return of cultural artifacts taken during the colonial period. Introduced by Culture Minister Rachida Dati, the legislation would allow items looted between 1815 and 1972 to be returned by government decree, bypassing the need for time-consuming parliamentary votes. The […]

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French minister lauds Morocco’s development push in Sahara

French culture minister Rachida Dati highlighted at the end of her visit Morocco’s major development leaps in the southern provinces, the Sahara. During her visit, Dati used the Moroccan term for the Sahara: southern provinces, calling her visit “historic” and a continuation of the momentum launched by Paris recognition of the Kingdom’s sovereignty over its […]

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France to open cultural institute in Moroccan Sahara

French culture minister Rachida Dati will be paying a visit to Morocco on February 16-18, during which she will visit the Southern Provinces, the Sahara, where she will inaugurate a French cultural center in Laayoune. The center was promised after France backed Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara, followed by a visit by French President Emmlanuel […]

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Two ministers of Moroccan origin in France’s new government

French president Emmanuel Macron unveiled a line-up of a new government of 39 ministers, including two of Moroccan origins. The government, led by prime minister, Michel Barnier, kept Rachida Dati as culture minister, while another minister of Moroccan roots, Othman Nasrou, took the portfolio of citizenship and the fight against discrimination. Dati in particular has […]

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Sarkozy Appoints Dati Political Advisor Ahead of Presidential Race

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy appointed his former Justice Minister Rachida Dati political advisor, after he launched last week his campaign for the center-right primaries. The appointment of Dati, the first woman of north African descent to hold a major government post, came as no surprise as Sarkozy seeks to mend ties with her and […]

Headlines Morocco

Sahara: EU Lawmakers Call for Quick Implementation of Autonomy Plan

The European Union-Morocco friendship group at the European Parliament on Friday called for the implementation of the Morocco-proposed autonomy plan for the Sahara without delay, giving thus strong backing to Morocco’s position in the Sahara conflict. The support came from the group of EU lawmakers, led by Gilles Pargneaux, Rachida Dati and Stefano Maullu, just […]

Headlines Morocco

Morocco’s Cultural Center in Paris Will Celebrate Joint Ties

The Moroccan cultural center to be built in Paris will enhance further the deeply rooted cultural ties between Morocco and France, said Wednesday French President Francois Hollande. The details of the project of this new cultural institution were unveiled on Wednesday in the presence of King Mohammed VI who is paying a working and friendship […]