Tension between France and Morocco: President of MEDEF Undesirable in Rabat!
BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- The diplomatic tensions between France and Morocco have reached a new level of intensity following the Pegasus scandal, revealing the Moroccan secret services’ surveillance of several high-ranking French officials, including President Emmanuel Macron. Against this backdrop, the planned visit of Geoffroy Roux de Bézieux, the president of the Mouvement of France’s entreprises (MEDEF), to Morocco on June 26 has been indefinitely postponed at the request of the president of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM). The CGEM believes that the current strained relations between the two nations make it unfavorable to host the French business leader, citing the need to wait for a more conducive environment.
Escalating Diplomatic Eruptions
The Pegasus scandal, which exposed the Moroccan secret services’ surveillance activities, has exacerbated the already strained relations between France and Morocco. The revelation that high-ranking French officials, including President Macron, were targeted has led to a severe deterioration in diplomatic ties. Such intrusive actions have understandably raised concerns and sparked outrage in France, resulting in calls for a strong response.
Postponement of Geoffroy Roux de Bézieux’s Visit
Geoffroy Roux de Bézieux, the president of MEDEF, had planned to visit Morocco on June 26 to strengthen business ties and explore opportunities for collaboration between the two countries. However, the CGEM, the leading Moroccan employers’ organization, requested the indefinite postponement of the visit, citing the unfavorable context of Morocco-France relations.
Chakib Alj, the president of CGEM, emphasized the need to wait for a more conducive environment before rescheduling the visit. While expressing appreciation for the positive relationship between CGEM and MEDEF, Alj stressed that the current tensions between the two nations make it inappropriate for the visit to proceed as planned. This decision reflects the desire to avoid further exacerbating the already strained diplomatic situation.
Impact on Business Relations
The postponement of Geoffroy Roux de Bézieux’s visit underscores the significant impact of diplomatic tensions on business relations between France and Morocco. MEDEF plays a crucial role in promoting economic cooperation and fostering partnerships between French and Moroccan companies. However, the current environment has made it difficult to conduct such exchanges smoothly.
The delay in the visit does not bode well for the economic prospects between the two nations. Both France and Morocco have historically maintained strong trade ties, with France being one of Morocco’s largest trading partners. The prolonged strain in relations could hamper business opportunities, hinder investment, and create uncertainty for companies operating in both countries.
Translated with adaptation from: La Patrie News
