France's position in Sahara issue did not, will not change, FM
Morocco-France, Politics, 6/2/2004

French foreign minister, Michel Barnier, who is on a two-day official visit to Morocco, affirmed Monday that France's position concerning the Sahara question did not and will not change.

This issue is opposing Morocco and Algeria because of the latter's political, financial and military support to the separatist movement "Polisario" that is claiming the independence of the former Spanish colony.

Integration, stability and progress of the Maghreb region is in everybody's interest, he said, calling for a change in the current situation. It is the objective of the work being done in the framework of the United Nations, he went on.

"The two sovereign countries, friends of France, which are Morocco and Algeria, have reasons to launch dialogue together, and whenever they want, to find a way to do it," he said, adding that "we will get out of this without imposing anything on any party."

The French official affirmed that the strategic partnership binding Morocco and France is "exceptional and their historical, economic and cultural ties "very singular."

Barnier, who said he was very honored by the audience king Mohammed VI granted him, said in an interview aired Monday by Morocco's TV channel 2M, he had memorable moments during his first visit to Morocco as foreign minister.

"I was very happy with this visit, which gave me a great feeling of brotherhood," he said, recalling that it is his first visit in a Maghreban or Arab state.

Concerning Europe's enlargement, France's top diplomat said it is an "opportunity for Morocco's productions and know-how." The kingdom, he said, will have within its reach an even larger and more dynamic unique market.

However, he said, European countries that have proximity interests in south-Mediterranean countries, namely France, Spain, Italy and Portugal, should convey a certain message of balance.

Barnier described Morocco's decision to conclude a free trade agreement with the United States as the "choice of a sovereign country" to diversify its trade with other countries, for the sake of progress and development, recalling that, still, 65% of Morocco's trade is done with the EU.

Concerning Iraq, the French foreign minister said his country "is "trying to be useful" to help come out of this tragedy, deeming that political way remains the best way out.

For Barnier, the new Iraqi government's acceptability by Iraqis is the first key to this and the second is that the Iraqi executive leadership really has to be sovereign in order to be respected, either within or outside the country.

Previous Stories:
  King resolved to carry on modernization efforts, French FM   (6/1/2004)
  France reiterates support to Morocco's claim of 'advanced status' with Europe, premier   (5/29/2004)
  Princess hails Moroccan-French shared history and memory   (3/19/2004)

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