Rabat and Paris are continuing their journey in returning the traditional partnership to its previous state, after a “strong push” that included the visit of the first Moroccan official to the French capital since the estrangement, while the Kingdom awaits France to complete its expected step in the sands of the Moroccan desert, perhaps according to “the words of President Emmanuel Macron.”
Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad, arrived yesterday, Tuesday, in the capital, Paris, where he held discussions with his French counterpart, Stephane Ségourny, French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, without announcing further details.
This visit comes after Sigourney Bourita was invited during a meeting with him in Rabat to visit Paris, after the two sides talked about the economic opportunities that bring the two countries together, which prompted Paris, through its Minister of Foreign Trade, Franck Riester, to announce its intention to invest in the Moroccan Sahara.
Perhaps Paris, which wants the economy in the Moroccan Sahara and waits on the political side, is showing signs of its preparation to resolve the issue of political recognition or not, through the channels of the leaders of the two countries, through what Sigourney confirmed in an interview with the “France 24” network and the “RFI” funded radio station. Governmentally, he stated that “the Sahara issue at the political level is in the hands of the leaders of the two countries,” while repeating “France’s praise for Moroccan development in these regions.”
Bourita’s visit immediately after the emergence of French economic recognition is read by experts as “a preparation for the files of Macron’s meeting with the Moroccan king, and a resolution between the leaders of the two countries on the issue of political recognition, through the visit of the French president to the Kingdom, which will be prepared for through a second visit by Foreign Minister Sigourney.”
All of this coincides with the indicators of the visit of the Algerian President, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, remaining in place without any changes, contrary to what those who follow these “complicated” tripartite relations are accustomed to.
Relationships are accelerating
According to Hassan Bouchamama, a writer specializing in political affairs, Bourita’s visit to Paris aims to “prepare the files that will be discussed between the Moroccan king and President Macron.”
Bouchamama explained that “the accepted protocol requires that the Minister of Foreign Affairs is the one who visits the host country and not the other way around, in order to prepare for the visit of the head of state to this country,” stressing that “the meeting with Bourita is believed to be to prepare for the files that can be discussed between the two parties.”
The same spokesman stated that “the acceleration of relations is on their way to returning to their previous era resulting from French certainty in the Kingdom’s pivotal role in the African continent, stemming from a trend towards an independent Morocco that is free in its choices.”
The same political analyst considered that “the recent flirtation of French officials with Morocco actually shows that previously stagnant waters have begun to flow between the two countries, and that the cloud of estrangement has lifted, and relations are accelerating forward,” noting that “economic recognition encourages the emergence of political ones.”
Bouchamama concluded that Bourita’s visit is “an essential stage for ending the differences over the outstanding issues, and discussing a new strategy that establishes this new stage, a method that Rabat previously adopted with Spain,” ruling out at the same time that “the Algerian winds will affect Macron’s options cards in the Moroccan Sahara.” .
Macron’s visit and indicators
The Elysee Palace had previously stated to Hespress that “the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron has not yet been scheduled.”
According to Hassan Qartit, an expert in international relations, this visit shows its indicators through “the realistic approach that Paris is adopting during its preparations for the president’s visit to a partner country, which may bring with it political variables.”
Qartit added: “Realism was drawn by Rabat in front of France for a long time, and today we see Paris moving towards a fait accompli. Sigourney confirmed his understanding of the existence of the Sahara for Moroccans,” noting that “collecting all of this shows that France is in the process of announcing its official adaptation to this matter through the words of Macron.” “.
“We must understand that the visit of French officials to Morocco, and Sigourney’s statements in the last dialogue, show that Paris is positioning itself on the Sahara issue within a new environment, taking into account its interests, of course, which include the geopolitical variables in the Maghreb region,” the expert in international relations adds.
The same spokesman also stressed that “France will not take a path different from what Germany and Spain took, influenced by the American recognition in 2020,” explaining that “France’s focus on the economy instead of political clarity is in fact a Moroccan victory, because this is something we did not see from Paris previously.” .
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2024-04-11 20:03:12
