The head of French diplomacy, Stéphane Séjourné, reiterated, Monday February 26, Paris’ “clear and constant” support for the Moroccan autonomy plan for Western Sahara, assuring a desire to make progress on this issue, during a trip to Rabat intended to revive the bilateral relationship after a cold period.

“The Sahara question is an existential issue for Morocco, we know that. The autonomy plan presented by Morocco has been on the table since 2007 now. Mr. Minister, you personally know that, since the origin of this plan, Morocco can count on the clear and constant support of France for this plan,” declared Mr. Séjourné during a press conference alongside of his counterpart, Nasser Bourita.

“I say it again with more force: today is the time to move forward, and I will personally see to it,” he added.

France’s position “is clear and constant (…). Like Morocco, France wants a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, in accordance with Security Council resolutions. We were the first country to support the plan proposed by Morocco in 2007. As a logical continuation of this commitment, I say it again here, it is time to move forward,” added Stéphane Séjourné.

“Opening a new chapter”

Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony, is controlled mainly by Morocco, but claimed by the Sahrawi separatists of the Polisario Front, supported by Algeria. The UN considers it a “non-self-governing territory”.

Questioned by journalists, the French minister said he wanted to “support the development” of this region, “in support of Moroccan efforts.” “Morocco has invested a lot in development projects for the benefit of local populations and in terms of training, renewable energies, tourism, blue economy linked to aquatic resources,” he declared.

Mr. Séjourné’s visit, which comes after a series of diplomatic crises between Paris and Rabat, aimed to “open a new chapter” in their relations, according to a diplomatic source.

The head of French diplomacy proposed on Monday an “avant-garde” partnership for the next thirty years with Morocco, to focus in particular on renewable energies, training and “the development of new innovative industrial ecosystems”.

“France is a distinguished partner of Morocco on the political, economic and humanitarian levels,” noted the head of Moroccan diplomacy, Nasser Bourita.