Blitz Bureau
RABAT: Morocco’s King Mohammed VI welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron to Morocco on October 28, kicking off a state visit with a series of bilateral agreements, including major investments in renewable energy and transportation, reported Associated Press.
Macron’s trip to Morocco – his first in six years – came as immigrants, including North Africans, face continued scrutiny in France and while France reassesses its role in its former colonies throughout Africa. Morocco has historically been a key economic and security partner, however relations between the two countries have often been fragile.
Among the objectives of Macron’s visit, AP reported quoting Elysee Palace, was “to rebuild the exceptional partnership that links our two countries.”
French and Moroccan flags flew throughout the capital, where crowds lined the streets to watch the motorcade containing Macron, his wife and members of Morocco’s royal family drive to one of their palaces.
Macron and Mohammed VI, who used a cane to walk, later oversaw a ceremonial signing of 22 agreements to facilitate future investments as well as cultural and scientific partnerships.
The investments are worth a total of 10 billion euros and include expanding Morocco’s high speed rail line southward to Marrakech, which the country hopes to complete before it holds events for the FIFA World Cup in 2030.
They also included projects to develop green hydrogen, wind farms and water projects, which Morocco has identified to help insulate the country from the effects of climate change.
In the days leading up to the visit, Moroccan publications lauded the “warm reunion” and a “new honeymoon” between the two countries. France and Morocco have historically partnered on issues ranging from counter-terrorism to managing migration. Morocco is the top destination for French investment in Africa and France is Morocco’s top trade partner.
Morocco imports French cereals, weapons and renewable energy infrastructure like turbines. France imports goods from Morocco including tomatoes, cars and airplane parts. Moroccans are among the largest foreign-born communities in France, where North African immigrants are a key political constituency and a focal point of debates about the roles of Islam and immigration in French society.
