French senators applaud socio-economic boost in Morocco's Dakhla region
A delegation of French senators praised the socio-economic achievements and development momentum of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region during their recent visit to the area.
This visit was an initiative of the Chamber of Councillors, which enabled the members of the France-Morocco interparliamentary friendship group to experience first-hand the advantages and potential of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region for attracting investment, forging partnerships and strengthening trade.
Boosting development in Morocco
Speaking to the press, French Senator Max Brisson underlined the strong links between the French Senate and the Moroccan Chamber of Councillors, while expressing his admiration for the acceleration of development in the region, which could make it an economic hub in all sectors.
‘We have been informed of all the major projects that are taking shape in the region, particularly in the fields of renewable energies, tourism, fisheries and agriculture,’ the senator declared, conveying France's desire to further boost bilateral ties in these sectors.
For his part, the president of the Morocco-France parliamentary friendship group in the Chamber of Councillors, Mohamed Zidouh, stressed the importance of this visit for the solid relationship between the two countries. He also recalled President Emmanuel Macron's state trip to Morocco in October last year, noting that it further strengthened ties between Paris and Rabat.
Zidouh said that this visit to Dakhla was a great opportunity for the French senators to see for themselves the rapid development that the region is experiencing, and also to learn about the structuring projects completed or underway, such as the new Atlantic port infrastructure of Dakhla and the seawater desalination station.
In addition, the French representatives conducted field visits to several large-scale projects in the region, including the seawater desalination plant and the new Dakhla Atlantic Port.
In the course of the trip, members of the France-Morocco interparliamentary friendship group had the opportunity to meet with the wali (governor) of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region, Ali Khalil; the vice-president of the Regional Council, Moulay Boutal Lembarki; and the president of the Dakhla Communal Council, Erragheb Hormatallah. During these talks, emphasis was placed on the development boom the region is experiencing in various sectors.
Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara
Morocco claims sovereignty over Western Sahara, and in 2007 proposed an Autonomy Plan to the United Nations in order to take the lead in the territory. This plan is currently supported by major powers, including the United States and the United Arab Emirates, as well as several EU member states such as Spain, Germany and France.
Ties between France and Morocco continue to progress significantly after Paris decided to recognise Morocco's sovereignty over the southern provinces of Western Sahara at the end of July 2024.
In recent months, the two countries have repeated on several occasions their need to strengthen their bilateral union in order to expand in all strategic sectors.
Consequently, on 6 January, President Emmanuel Macron renewed his country's commitment to maintain the terms of its new friendship with Morocco. He even emphasised his state visit to Morocco in October 2024, saying that one of the most relevant aspects of the Franco-Moroccan union was ‘what we managed to build with His Majesty King Mohammed VI during the state visit’, and stressed that the two countries have consolidated a ‘completely new partnership for the coming decades’.
