Macron pledges French investment in disputed Western Sahara in speech to Morocco's parliament

Speaking to Morocco's parliament on the second day of his state visit to the North African country Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron renewed France's support for Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara. Click on the player above to follow Macron's speech as it happened.

President Emmanuel Macron renewed French support for Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara Tuesday and pledged French investment in the largely Moroccan-controlled but disputed territory.

Deals with Morocco involving Western Sahara have been a problem for European governments with the EU's top court earlier this month upholding the cancellation of trade deals allowing Morocco to export Sahrawi products to the bloc.

In an address to the Moroccan parliament on a three-day state visit, Macron said French companies "will support the development" of Western Sahara, whose "present and future" belong under "Moroccan sovereignty".

He pledged "investments and sustainable support initiatives to benefit local populations".

This comes a day after Paris and Rabat signed several deals – including on energy and infrastructure – with a total value of "up to 10 billion euros", official sources told AFP, though specific contract details were not disclosed.

But Rabat has repeatedly rejected any vote in which independence is an option.

(AFP)


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