During this meeting, themed: “Morocco-France: Building our common future together in a transitioning world,” Sitail highlighted the two countries’ determination to accelerate and reinvent their exceptional partnership, which was elevated to the highest level by HM King Mohammed VI and French President Emmanuel Macron.

“This very high-level commitment has led to the establishment of a plethora of channels, through which we identify today the paths and issues on which this exceptional partnership, renewed between the two countries, shall henceforth be based,” stressed Sitail before an audience of personalities from different backgrounds, including diplomats, journalists, economic stakeholders, elected officials and Moroccan expatriates.

The diplomat also welcomed France’s new position on the national issue, consolidating the international momentum and the massive burst of support for the Kingdom's sovereignty over its Sahara.

To Sitail, the “reco-construction” of the French-Moroccan partnership is essential for the interests of both countries “in a geopolitical context undergoing radical change, where the cards are being reshuffled, notably with the emergence of new powers.”

Sitail added that this “reco-construction,” which is also intended to be part of a continental approach to promote a “plural” Africa, should take advantage of the historic relationship between the two countries, recalling the two key moments that forged their exceptional partnership: “the fraternity of arms” with France, which this year celebrates the 80th anniversary of the landings and the Liberation; and “the independence of Morocco” in 1956, with both countries deciding to look to the future.

It is this glare into the future which must govern, according to the diplomat, the future bilateral ties to enrich and accelerate this partnership and all its elements: culture, economy, security, etc.

With figures to back her up, Sitail highlighted the assets of current cooperation to be exploited in this regard, citing, on the cultural level, the extensive French education network deployed in Morocco, or the 53,000 Moroccan students in France, making the Kingdom “one of the leading contributors to the influence of French higher education.”

She added that “with 17 consulates, we have a diaspora of 1.6 million Moroccans, who serve as a link between the two cultures and as a lever of Moroccan soft power in France.”

On the economic and commercial front, France is Morocco's 3rd largest supplier and 2nd largest customer, with a stock of French FDI worth over €8 billion, the ambassador said, highlighting the presence of 1,000 French companies in Morocco, including all of the CAC 40 companies.