By Edward Acquah, GNA Special Correspondent
Rabat, Oct. 30, GNA – French President Emmanuel Macron and his spouse, Brigitte, left Morocco on Wednesday afternoon after completing their three-day state visit to the Kingdom.
At Rabat-Salé Airport, Macron was seen off by Morocco’s Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch.
The French President had honored the invitation of King Mohammed VI, arriving in Rabat on Monday afternoon to a royal welcome.
During the visit, Macron and the King signed the Declaration on “the reinforced exceptional partnership” between Morocco and France, aimed at enhancing collaboration to address shared challenges.
The partnership will focus on deepening and modernizing their cooperation to promote economic development, social cohesion, and “strategic autonomy.”
On Monday night, Morocco and France finalized several agreements aimed at promoting economic development and establishing strategic partnerships for the future.
The first agreement was a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the supply of high-speed train sets and their supporting elements, followed by a Declaration of Intent focused on financial cooperation in the railway sector.
Additionally, there was an assistance contract between Morocco’s National Railways Office (ONCF) and the SYSTRA/EGIS Company, as well as an equipment supply contract between ONCF and VOSSLOH COGIFER.
Morocco’s government also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SAFRAN to construct a maintenance and repair facility for aircraft engines.
Under the terms of the agreement, the company plans to undertake an investment project to construct and equip a maintenance and repair (MRO) workshop for LEAP aircraft engines, with an investment of nearly €130 million.
On Tuesday, Mr. Macron addressed a joint session of the Moroccan Parliament, emphasizing the importance of sustaining the partnership between France and Morocco and cooperating in various areas to tackle common challenges.
Key focus areas for the renewed France-Morocco relationship include industry, renewable energies, digital transformation, agriculture, and culture.
During discussions at the Royal Palace in Rabat on Monday night, Mr. Macron and King Mohammed VI called for an immediate cessation of attacks in Gaza and Lebanon.
A statement from the Royal Office indicated that the two heads of state emphasized the importance of protecting civilians and ensuring the delivery of adequate humanitarian aid.
“The Sovereign and the French President recalled the urgent need to reactivate the peace process, within the framework of a two-State solution, with an independent Palestinian State on the June 4, 1967 border, with East Jerusalem as its Capital,” the Palace said.
As part of efforts to protect children and enhance school safety, Princess Lalla Meryem, head of Morocco’s National Observatory for Children’s Rights (ONDE), and France’s First Lady Brigitte Macron launched a national campaign on Tuesday to combat school bullying and cyberbullying.
One of the key initiatives introduced under the campaign is a new smartphone application called “iTyhad,” designed to help children report and prevent bullying.
The software was developed by engineering students at the International University of Rabat (UIR) as part of Princess Lalla Meryem’s youth innovation event, “Hackathon E-tofoula,” held in March.
King Mohammed VI in July this year invited Macron for an official visit, after Paris announced a position in support of Morocco’s sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara.
GNA