French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin has praised Morocco's cooperation in the fight against terrorism, amid security concerns over the 2024 Paris Olympic Games taking place this summer.
During an official visit to Morocco on Monday, Darmanin lauded the kingdom's help in fighting terrorism in France as Paris prepares to host the 2024 Olympics.
The French interior minister's visit to the capital Rabat comes amid efforts to bring the two countries closer after a series of diplomatic spats and the deterioration in France's relations with countries across 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.
"We thank them greatly, particularly in anticipation of the Olympic Games," which start in late July, Darmanin added.
Security cooperation
According to the minister, Paris and Rabat will be helping each other "during the major sporting events that we will be hosting, in particular the Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer and the African Cup of Nations in Morocco in 2025".
France has reportedly requested the support of several dozen countries – including Morocco – in terms of security ahead of the Olympics.
"Police officers of various nationalities – including Moroccan – will be mobilised during the Games to support the work of the French security forces", he added.
In the fight against terrorism, Darmanin also said that Paris was keeping a close eye on information provided by Morocco concerning "the threat penetrating the Sahel-Saharan strip" against a backdrop of a diplomatic collapse between France and former colonies in the Sahel.
France was forced to withdraw troops from Mali in 2022 and from Niger and Burkina Faso last year after a succession of coups saw relations nosedive, giving way to increased Russian military involvement.
Diplomatic drive
Gérald Darmnain is the third French minister to visit the kingdom in three months, following Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné's stopover in mid-February, and the Minister for Foreign Trade Franck Riester's trip at the beginning of April.
French Agriculture Minister Marc Fesneau is also currently visiting Morocco until 23 April, while his Minister for the Economy Bruno Lemaire is expected back in Morocco later this week.
According to Darmanin, the aim of these visits is to give impetus to "a profound renewal and modernisation of Franco-Moroccan relations", who held also talks with Islamic Affairs Minister Ahmed Taoufiq later in the day.
Tensions between Rabat and Paris flared over visa restrictions imposed by France on Moroccan nationals in 2021.
The kingdom has also been upset by French President Emmanuel Macron's diplomatic overtures towards Algeria, Morocco's regional rival.
