France Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin to Visit Morocco This Week
A source confirmed the news to Morocco World News (MWN) today. The whereabouts of the visit is yet to be confirmed by official channels.
The visit comes as Morocco and France continue to celebrate strong bilateral ties, especially after France decided to recognize Morocco's sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara.
The decision in July 2024 followed Emmanuel Macron's historic state visit to Morocco in October of the same year. During his visit, Macron doubled down France's support for Morocco's territorial integrity.
At the Moroccan Parliament, he made a speech in which he vowed that his country would continue to defend Morocco's cause and support its territorial integrity at all international forums.
Macron's visit followed a series of visits from French officials. In February, French Culture Minister Rachida Dati visited Morocco, and notably Morocco's southern provinces in the Western Sahara.
The visit marked the first of such a trip to Morocco's southern provinces.
Dati's visit followed another high-ranking visit by the President of the French Senate, Gerard Larcher to Morocco, including Laayoune.
During his visit, Larcher said that Morocco's southern provinces constitute 'a success model for the entire Sahelo-Saharan zone' as the region faces various tensions.
Impressed by the development in the region, he recalled Morocco's development model.
'This model is part of Morocco's geostrategic vision and presents itself as an opportunity for opening up and development for the states surrounding the Kingdom,' Larcher said.
The visit by Larcher to Morocco's Laayoune sparked frustration from Algeria's regime, which responded to the news by severing ties with the French Senate.
This came amid brewing tensions between the two countries.
Algeria's regime continues to refuse to cooperate, denying entry to Algerians under deportation measures from France.
France slammed the Algerian regime for its reluctance, stating that similar acts are aimed at humiliating the European country.
One of the Algerian nationals carried out a knife attack in Mulhouse in February, and Algerian authorities had refused to issue consular passes for the suspect.
In response, France announced last month measures restricting movement and access to French territory for a number of 'Algerian dignitaries.'
Algeria's Foreign Affairs Ministry denounced the measures, calling them 'a new provocation from France.' Tags: Algeria and Western SaharaFrance and Morocco
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