Morocco inaugurated its new consulate in Montlaguily, a suburb of Paris, on Friday, adding to the network of Moroccan consulates in France, which has now reached seventeen representations. This opening is part of a continuous effort to bring administrative services closer to citizens and improve the quality of consular services, in line with the strategy adopted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by prominent officials, including the Moroccan Ambassador to France, Samira Sitail; the Director of Consular and Social Affairs, Fouad Kadmiri; and the Consul General, Mustafa Bouazzaoui, alongside several representatives from French authorities, led by the Prefect of Yvelines, Frédéric Rose; the President of the Regional Council, Pierre Bedier; and the Mayor of Montlaguily, Raphael Cognet, along with members of civil society and Moroccans residing in the consular district.
The new consulate will cover three significant French departments: Yvelines, Seine-Maritime, and Eure, which host approximately 156,000 Moroccans. This administrative representation marks a qualitative step towards improving territorial coverage and effectively responding to the needs of the community.
The Moroccan Ambassador expressed pride in this achievement, considering the consulate a source of pride and a bridge for communication with Morocco. She also highlighted the cooperation of French authorities in bringing this project to fruition. French officials welcomed the initiative, viewing it as a new boost to bilateral relations, especially concerning decentralized cooperation and serving one of the largest communities in the Île-de-France region.
The Director of Consular Affairs confirmed that the initiative reflects the royal care for the Moroccan community abroad and is part of efforts to digitize and modernize consular work. He noted that the new facility, coinciding with the start of the “Marhba” operation, enhances the Moroccan consular network’s capacity to support citizens returning home for the summer.
The Consul General announced that the consulate will officially open its doors on Monday, mentioning that 780 appointments have already been booked through the dedicated application, reflecting the significant expectations from Moroccans in the concerned regions. He assured that the new facility, equipped with modern amenities and ease of access, will facilitate daily administrative procedures and strengthen ties with the homeland.
The consulate has adopted a comprehensive approach that includes organizing mobile consulates in remote municipalities and open days on weekends to ensure direct communication with citizens and meet their diverse needs.
