RABAT: French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, on an official visit to Morocco, has lauded the kingdom’s help in fighting terrorism in France as Paris prepares to host the 2024 Olympics.
Darmanin’s visit to Rabat comes amid efforts to bring the two countries closer after a series of tensions and a sharp deterioration in France’s relations with countries in the Sahel.
“Without the Moroccan intelligence services, France would be more affected by terrorism,” Darmanin said in a meeting with Moroccan Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit.
Darmanin added: “We thank them greatly, particularly in anticipation of the Olympic Games,” which start in late July.
He said the two countries will cooperate to ensure safety for the African Cup of Nations football tournament, which Morocco will host next year.
Darmanin is among several French ministers who have visited Morocco over the past three months in an effort to bring about “a profound renewal and modernization of the French-Moroccan relationship,” Darmanin said.
Tensions between Rabat and Paris, the former colonial power, included France’s 2021 visa restrictions for Moroccan nationals.
The kingdom has also been upset by French President Emmanuel Macron’s desired rapprochement with Algeria, its regional rival.
In the Sahel, France was forced to withdraw troops from Mali in 2022 and from Niger and Burkina Faso last year after coups saw relations nosedive and ushered in growing Russian military involvement.
