Nicolas Sarkozy praises Mohammed VI, whom he considers "a great leader, wise and visionary"

During the presentation of his latest book "The Time of Combat" in Rabat, the former President of the French Republic, Nicolas Sarkozy, once again defended Morocco's proposal for Western Sahara, reports La Vie Echo. "There is only one credible solution to the conflict over the Sahara: Morocco's plan", the former French leader affirmed in the presence of André Azoulay, adviser to the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, the French Ambassador to Morocco, Christophe Lecourtier, as well as several personalities from the political, diplomatic, economic and cultural world.

"I am convinced of the Moroccan character of the Sahara. It is a position I have always defended: a position of openness and development", he reiterated, expressing the hope that Europe could accept this point of view as other countries such as the United States and Israel have already done.

"I defended this idea at the time of the late King Hassan II and also during the era of King Mohammed VI", admitted Sarkozy, who also recalled that France used to be "at the forefront on the Sahara issue". 

The former French president also underlined that, despite the fact that "all this lost time contributes to accentuating instability and uncertainty", Morocco has been able to build a resilient economy and lasting stability, while positioning itself as an influential country on a regional and continental scale.

In this respect, Sarkozy expressed his great admiration for the Moroccan monarch Mohammed VI, whom he described as "an exceptional man and one of the great wise and visionary leaders".

🇲🇦🇫🇷 « SM le Roi Mohammed VI est un homme que je n’ai cessé d’admirer et de respecter. C’est un homme d’exception et l’un des grands dirigeants sages et visionnaires», a affirmé M. Sarkozy lors de la cérémonie de présentation de son dernier ouvrage «Le temps des combats», qui… pic.twitter.com/ataW2KOyLr

— Le360 (@Le360fr) December 13, 2023

"Morocco has successfully entered the modern world without renouncing its way of life, its traditions, its particular universe. It is not to Moroccans that we must explain the importance of safeguarding a national identity", said Sarkozy. 

He also stressed that the Kingdom's strength lies in its intelligence in reconciling identity and modernity. "It is a country that respects its culture and its history and at the same time embraces modernity. If there is a place where the question of identity is central, it is here: it represents an opening and not a closure," he explained.

Sarkozy's visit to Morocco to present his new book comes shortly after he appeared as a guest on the Spanish television programme "Espejo público" on the Spanish channel Antena 3.

Demain, j’ai cet immense plaisir d’être à Marrakech à la rencontre de mes lecteurs. J’espère vous voir nombreux ! #letempsdescombats @EditionsFayard pic.twitter.com/lPwafcyHMv

— Nicolas Sarkozy (@NicolasSarkozy) December 13, 2023

During his intervention in the programme, the former French president once stressed that he was "in favour of the Moroccan ownership of Western Sahara", indicating that the Spanish authorities "have done well to recognise this".

The former French leader also visited the city of Marrakech this past week for another presentation of his book, "The Time of Combat".