RABAT, June 15 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron called late on Wednesday for stronger cooperation with Morocco to boost development in Africa.
Macron told reporters following talks with Moroccan King Mohammed VI that France and Morocco are both concerned with maintaining stability in the region, and addressing development challenges on the continent.
Macron underlined that France aims at boosting growth in Africa through "concrete actions."
Regarding the Qatar-Gulf rift, Macron said that France and Morocco are both interested in defusing tension and avoiding escalation. In this regards, he said that he will be receiving the Emir of Qatar next week in Paris to "clarify positions."
As for bilateral ties, Macron said Morocco is "a friendly country and a strategic partner," underlining that his visit shows France's "willingness to bring support to the ambitious reforms led by the king, especially in terms of the modernization of institutions and economic development."
The visit to Morocco is Macron's fist in the Maghreb region and the second to an African country after Mali.
