Moroccan Parliament: French President praises new Constitution introduced by King Mohammed VI in 2011 following Arab Spring protests, saying it guarantees ‘tolerance’. Photo: Reuters
**“Every day, your country takes decisive steps towards democracy.”
– French President Hollande**
Middle East Online, AFP (Rabat, Morocco, April 4, 2013) – French President Francois Hollande on Thursday hailed “decisive steps” taken by Morocco towards democracy.
“Every day, your country takes decisive steps towards democracy,” he said in a speech to parliament on the second and final day of a visit to the North African country.
He praised in particular a new Constitution introduced by King Mohammed VI in 2011 in response to Arab Spring protests then sweeping the region, saying it guaranteed “tolerance” and “recognized the diverse character of Morocco’s identity.”
France’s Hollande: ‘Our duty is to accompany you through your options.’ Middle East Online
A key aspect of the text was its support for the country’s large Berber community, with their Amazigh language officially recognized.
“Of course everything does not go as quickly as some would like. There are always criticisms, improvements. That is your responsibility. And our duty is to accompany you through your options,” the president said.
“I also know that, despite this progress, there are still expectations… There is impatience everywhere… But I know that you have the desire to face up to and achieve what you have promised.”
The president began his visit followed by a large French press corps. In a square in the city centre, Hollande was greeted by a cheering but sparse Moroccan crowd, before heading to the royal palace for talks with the King.
French President Hollande speaks to Moroccan Parliament in Rabat April 4, 2013. Hollande hails ‘decisive steps’ taken by Morocco towards democracy. AFP/F. Senna
At the royal palace on Wednesday some 30 bilateral accords worth an estimated 300 million euros were signed by Ministers and business leaders, notably in transport, agriculture, education and renewable energy sectors.
Later, Hollande inaugurated a pilot water purifying plant in Casablanca, Morocco’s largest city, built by an affiliate of French utility firm GDF Suez and capable of treating 3,800 cubic metres of water daily.
Speaking to the French community in Casablanca afterwards, the president laid the emphasis firmly on “consolidating the friendship” and “confirming the ties” between the two countries, making only oblique reference to the political crisis in France.
Around 750 French companies are operating in Morocco, employing between 80,000 and 100,000 people. “We are Morocco’s largest trading partner, largest investor, and we will spare no effort to maintain our rank,” insisted a source close to the French Presidency.
French President Hollande (center) sits after delivering speech at Moroccan Parliament in Rabat April 4, 2013, second day of his official two-day visit. Photo: Bertrand Langlois
AFP also reported that:
Speaking in Parliament, Hollande highlighted the “stability” of the North African country and the “tolerance” guaranteed in the new constitution, which he said “recognised the diverse character of Morocco’s identity.”
In addition:
Hollande warned that a solution to the conflict in Western Sahara, where a UN peacekeeping force has been deployed for two decades, was more important than ever given the Islamist revolt raging in northern Mali.
“The economic potential is enormous. But I am also aware of the obstacles, and the question of the Western Sahara, which has been waiting to be resolved for more than 30 years,” he told Moroccan lawmakers.
“The current stand-off is detrimental to everyone, to the separated families, to the refugees, to the tensions between the Maghreb countries. And the crisis in the Sahel makes it more urgent to put an end to this situation,” he said.
But he renewed French backing for former colony Morocco’s insistence on its sovereignty over the territory and its refusal to negotiate more autonomy for the native Sahrawis, drawing warm applause from parliamentarians.
Polisario Front separatists reject Rabat’s autonomy plan, insisting instead on the right of the Sahrawi people to a referendum on self-determination.
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Speaking to Parliament, Hollande also warned a solution to the Western Sahara conflict, where a UN peacekeeping force has been deployed for two decades, was more important than ever given Islamist revolt in northern Mali. Hollande thanked Morocco for supporting French intervention in Mali. AFP
