Samira Sitail: A Moroccan-French Alliance Based on Trust, Clarity, and Results
The relations between Morocco and France exemplify an ideal partnership founded on trust, transparency, and tangible results, as emphasized by Morocco’s new ambassador to Paris, Samira Sitail, during the opening of the Moroccan-French economic forum held in Dakhla, the jewel of southern Morocco.
Sitail mentioned before a group of economic and institutional actors that this event “reflects the vitality of an exceptional partnership based on shared values, a unified vision, and concrete projects that serve sustainable and comprehensive development.”
The Moroccan diplomat stressed the historical and human depth of cooperation between Rabat and Paris, affirming that this relationship “is fundamentally built on women and men who believe in it, embody it, and strive daily to enhance it.”
Sitail highlighted that holding the forum in Dakhla transcends mere symbolism, representing a recognition and tangible commitment to a strategic area fully integrated into the national sovereignty of the Kingdom. In this context, she recalled the position of French President Emmanuel Macron, who acknowledged that “the present and future in Moroccan Sahara fall within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty.”
She also emphasized the major projects taking place in the region, such as the Atlantic port of Dakhla, the Tiznit-Dakhla highway, water desalination programs, and the development of renewable energies, considering that these endeavors “reflect Morocco’s ambition towards the future and its deep African ties.”
Sitail asserted that the strength of the partnership is not measured by speeches, but “by the ability to create growth, attract investments, and provide sustainable job opportunities,” noting that France remains a key economic partner for the Kingdom, with relations that have expanded from the Mediterranean to include the Atlantic dimension, turning Dakhla into a new growth center and gateway to Africa.
She added that the developmental model of Dakhla, based on local entrepreneurship and environmental sustainability, provides an ideal foundation for integrating Moroccan and French expertise to create value, job opportunities, and joint development.
The ambassador praised the involvement of several French institutions in structural projects in the southern regions, including the French Development Agency (AFD), Proparco, and the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Morocco (CFCIM), considering that these institutions “contribute significantly to enhancing economic exchanges and supporting sustainable initiatives.”
Sitail concluded by inviting French companies to come to Dakhla “not symbolically, but as genuinely committed partners within an ongoing and dynamic framework,” asserting that Moroccan-French cooperation “is built on the ground, over time, and through tangible results.”
It is worth noting that the forum was organized in partnership with the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) and the French Employers’ Organization (MEDEF) through the Moroccan-French Business Club, aimed at enhancing cooperation between the business communities of the two countries and exploring new partnership opportunities in promising sectors.
