France is not in crisis with Morocco, the spokeswoman for the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs assured Thursday, January 25, in response to criticism from Moroccan parliamentarians and a virulent anti-French press campaign by local media.
"
On the contrary, we are in an exceptional partnership that we intend to nurture
", declared Anne-Claire Legendre during a press briefing, underlining Paris' desire to register this bilateral relationship "
within 10 to 20 years
" at to come.
She recalled the visit of Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna in December.
"
It was a very positive visit
," she said, stressing "
the important milestone
" that will be that of President Emmanuel Macron, scheduled in principle during the first quarter.
The European text very badly received
The Moroccan political class and the media close to the government have not taken off since the European Parliament adopted by a large majority a week ago a resolution worrying about the deterioration of press freedom in Morocco.
The parliament also said it was "
deeply concerned
" by "
allegations that the Moroccan authorities have corrupted members of the European Parliament
".
Read also“Qatargate”: implicated, Morocco seeks a response
The MEPs' text was very badly received in Rabat.
Main accused: France, a former colonial power, which is accused of having "
orchestrated
" an anti-Moroccan campaign in Brussels.
"
Behind the scenes of this decision hides a country that we thought was a safe friend and partner, but the smell of gas made it lose its head
", opined Ahmed Touizi, a deputy of the majority, in reference to the rapprochement between Paris and Algiers, regional rival of Rabat.
"
Parliament exercises its prerogatives independently
," reacted the spokeswoman for the Quai d'Orsay.
“
For its part, France maintains a relationship of deep friendship with Morocco, with which it discusses all subjects, including those of human rights
”.
On the occasion of Catherine Colonna's visit, the two countries seemed to have eased tensions and declared themselves in favor of a renewed partnership.
But press articles - often acrimonious - have multiplied in recent days, reporting a further deterioration in Franco-Moroccan relations and casting doubt on the imminent arrival of the French president.
"
Clumsiness, missteps and misunderstandings are multiplying between Paris and Rabat
", writes the magazine Jeune Afrique on Wednesday.
“
Faced with what they consider to be manifestations of hostility on the part of France, the Moroccan authorities no longer conceal that a return to normal will be difficult
”.
