Morocco-France: “Return to normalcy” in terms of visas

“Writing a new page together” of the relations between France and Morocco: Paris and Rabat have shown their desire to renew their relationship, putting aside recent bones of contention, in preparation for president Emmanuel Macron’s state visit in early 2023, which had been postponed many times. As a sign of a desire to return to new bases for the relations between the two countries, the French Minister for Europe of Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna, on a visit to Morocco, announced at the headquarters of the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rabat  “the return to normalcy” in terms of the allocation of visas to Moroccan nationals . This  “full cooperation has been effective since last Monday”, specified Catherine Colonna during a press conference with her counterpart Nasser Bourita, thus sealing the end of the policy of restrictions on the issuance of visas, introduced by France more than a year ago. In September 2021, Paris had decided to halve the entry permits granted to Moroccans in reaction to the kingdom’s reluctance to repatriate its nationals who were in an irregular situation in France. This decision, which was described as “unjustified” by Rabat and decried by Moroccan Francophile circles, poisoned bilateral relations. “Today, the decision (by France) is a unilateral decision that Morocco respects and will not officially comment on, but which is a step in the right direction”, said Nasser Bourita. The two ministers insisted, during the press briefing, on the historic bilateral ties, of  “particular, singular, and unique importance”. The two capitals are working to develop their relationship in view of a state visit by the French president, scheduled for the “first quarter of 2023”, but the date of which has not yet been set.  “We want to arrive by January at a roadmap that will allow the presidential visit to be an ambitious one and for the good of both countries” said Catherine Colonna, before leaving Rabat. After a first exchange on November 1, President Emmanuel Macron and King Mohammed VI spoke again on Wednesday evening, after the feverish semi-final of the France-Morocco World Cup in Qatar. “We have instructions to prepare for this very important meeting, at the highest level”, assured Bourita, adding that Paris and Rabat had a “common vision” on how to develop their relationship.

A.T.