Morocco – Virtual meeting between Jean-Yves Le Drian and his counterpart (8 April 2021)

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian had a virtual meeting today, April 8, with his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita.

The Minister brought up the very close bilateral relationship between France and Morocco and the common challenges faced by both countries, specifically the consequences of the health crisis, coordination by our two countries to confront that crisis, and migratory issues. The Minister hailed the high quality of our cooperation on security, which we have noted on a regular basis, especially with regard to the fight against terrorism.

On the regional level, he lauded recent political progress in Libya and reiterated his support for the UN process which must lead to the holding of elections on December 24, and – on the security front – the withdrawal of all mercenaries and foreign fighters. With respect to the Sahel, he applauded Moroccan Prime Minister Saad-Eddine El Othmani’s participation in the Conference of Heads of State of the G5 Sahel and the N’Djamena Summit, as well as Mr. Bourita’s participation in the ministerial meeting of the Coalition for the Sahel. He reiterated the initiatives taken by France in this regard.

As for the situation in the Western Sahara, the Minister reaffirmed France’s support for a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions. He reiterated that, with that in mind, France considers the Moroccan autonomy plan to be serious and credible. He called for the swift appointment of a new Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General.

Lastly, the Minister applauded the new momentum in relations between Morocco and the EU and reaffirmed Morocco’s strategic role as an EU partner.