Moroccan and French foreign ministers said on Wednesday the two countries are preparing to sign a treaty to strengthen ties during an upcoming state visit by King Mohammed VI to France. <\/p>\n
The treaty will be the first Morocco signs with a European country, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser \u200cBourita told reporters after \u200ctalks with his French counterpart, \u200cJean-Noel \u2060Barrot. <\/p>\n
The two ministers \u2060did not specify when the King’s visit will take place. Relations between the two countries have improved since Paris recognized Rabat’s sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara territory in 2024. <\/p>\n
“Moroccan-French partnership is living its best era at all levels,” Bourita said, citing defense industry, \u2060security, aeronautic cooperation. <\/p>\n
Barrot also said that “this will be \u200cthe first treaty of \u200cits kind with a non-European country,” adding that the goal \u200cis to lay the basis for long-term relations \u200cbetween the two countries. <\/p>\n
Neither party specified what the treaty implies and its details. <\/p>\n
France backs the resumption of direct talks between parties involved in the Western Sahara conflict on the \u200cbasis of autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty and in line with the most recent UN Security \u2060Council \u2060resolution 2797, Barrot said. <\/p>\n
This position led to worsening ties with Algeria which hosts and backs the Polisario Front, an armed group seeking Western Sahara’s independence. <\/p>\n
Morocco is France’s top economic partner in Africa, and a logistical and financial hub between France and part of the continent, Barrot said, adding that it was “natural” for the two countries to work together in Africa. <\/p>\n