 President of the Centrist Union group in the French Senate Hervé Marseille invited France and the European Union to "follow" the step of the U.S. Administration and recognize, as well, Morocco's full and complete sovereignty over the Sahara.
"I welcome the decision of the United States. This decision crowns the relentless efforts of the Moroccan diplomacy and the action of His Majesty King Mohammed VI," said the French senator in an interview with MAP published on Friday.
According to him, this recognition is increasingly emulated in France where "many of us think it would be a good thing if the European Union followed the U.S. decision since it is a decision that goes in the right direction," and will contribute to establishing a just and lasting peace in the region.
With its 27 members, the European diplomacy is certainly "ambiguous" and "complex", the former vice-president of the Senate acknowledged. Nevertheless, regarding the Sahara issue, "Europe must move towards greater clarity and participate in the resolution of a conflict that has lasted too long," he said.
In his opinion, "the recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara will allow the establishment of a just and lasting peace in the region."
In view of Morocco's efforts and the extremely important investments that have been made in the Sahara, "the recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over this territory would be a very significant gesture that would contribute to peace in the region," the French senator said.
Marseille, who visited Dakhla part of a delegation of the France-Morocco friendship group in the Senate, stated that he witnessed the efforts made by Morocco in terms of socio-economic development of the city.
According to Marseille, "the region around Dakhla is extremely promising for the future since it is a hub connecting Europe and Africa." Many investments have been made, and the region has many assets allowing it to become a real growth locomotive with extremely positive benefits for the population that only aspires to peace and to benefit from economic and social development.
For the French politician, the resolution of the artificial conflict over the Sahara will also contribute to establishing peace and security in the strategic Sahel-Sahara zone. "It is clear that this region must be stabilized" and Morocco's role is essential, he said.
"France's partnership with Morocco is indispensable. We not only have historic friendly relations but also an extremely important partnership in the fight against terrorism, in which Morocco plays a major role," the senator argued.
"It is true that France is making significant efforts in Africa, especially in the Sahel to repel terrorism and establish a more stable situation in the region, but it is essential to further deepen our partnership with Morocco," he advocated.
Speaking of the bilateral relations, Marseille underlined that France has long-standing relations with Morocco. "There are very close ties that allowed us to have a significant presence in Morocco with large companies, participating in the development of the Tangier region and its port, but also in the rail sector with the high-speed train (...) which is an epitome of modernity wanted by Majesty King Mohammed VI."
Praising the quality of infrastructure and the extremely important investments deployed in southern Morocco, the French senator stressed the need to continue developing this region.
"France has an important part to play in this effort because it is a vector of development especially for the relations with Morocco, and Africa," concluded the president of the Centrist Union group in the French Senate.
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