French President hails Morocco’s growing role in Africa

Rabat, June 15 (IANS) French President Emmanuel Macron has hailed the growing role of Morocco in Africa, stressing that Rabat and Paris have a common policy in the continent.

"This policy will consist in developing, with the help of private entrepreneurs and educational and cultural milieus, a model aimed at rethinking a balanced relationship in Africa by relying on civil society," the French President said at a press conference, held as part of his two-day friendship and working visit to Morocco at the invitation of King Mohammed VI, MAP news agency reported.

In response to a question on Morocco's particular interest in Africa, through win-win partnerships and France's desire to develop a new tripartite partnership between Europe, the Maghreb and Africa, the French President noted that the two countries shall combine their African policies and further work in a partnership way. "It is a mutual chance," he underlined.

The two countries are driven by the same desire for the continent's development and growth, he said, adding that Morocco's accession to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will contribute in this endeavour.

Regarding the Gulf crisis, Macron stressed that he held, like King Mohammed VI, several talks with the leaders of the countries concerned to try to defuse the crisis.

"Our hope is to facilitate dialogue and clarify all the links and funding of terrorist groups from wherever they come from," he said.

The Gulf region should remain stable, he said, pointing out that he will meet again in the near future with officials from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

King Mohammed VI also offered an iftar in honour of French President Macron and his spouse Brigitte.