Those who feel “offended” that Morocco did not seek French help “should remember that Morocco dealt with Covid better than France,” French Deputy to European Parliament (MEP), Thierry Mariani, tweeted on “X” (formerly Twitter) on Sunday.
Ceux qui s’offusquent que le #Maroc n’ait toujours pas demandé d’aide à la France,devraient se souvenir que le #Maroc à bien géré la crise du COVID, même mieux que la France pour les masques.
Un peu d’humilité et moins de condescendance nous ferait du bien.https://t.co/LJvsOlrMjU— Thierry MARIANI (@ThierryMARIANI) September 10, 2023
This came after French media published a rash of scathing criticism over the weekend attacking Morocco for “not accepting” French aid after Friday’s destructive earthquake.
The news reports, however, disregarded the statements of the Moroccan government which explained in clear terms Morocco’s interest in managing its national crisis and in receiving appropriate aid. French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna criticized the false reports and called for “respect” of Morocco’s sovereign decisions to prioritize the arrival of aid, while dealing with multiple countries’ offers of assistance on a case-by-case basis, and not accepting aid that does not meet its needs.
MEP Mariani also tweeted that Morocco is not an “underdeveloped country,” but rather is one of Africa’s “leading powers,” the “proof” being its Covid management program with a budget of 3.2 billion euros, 2.6% of its GDP, and designating a large part of its industry to managing the COVID crisis.
📹 Entre le Maroc et la France,il y a plus qu'un malaise.
L’erreur diplomatique initiale de #Macron a rompu la relation avec le Roi du #Maroc.
Nous devons renouer avec Rabat notamment en reconnaissant la marocanité du #SaharaOccidental et en cessant notre soumission à Alger. pic.twitter.com/2cKMEKGwPc
— Thierry MARIANI (@ThierryMARIANI) September 11, 2023
He added that it is a “huge diplomatic error” for President Macron to maintain a posture of “negative neutrality” toward the Moroccan Sahara, and he called for an end to Paris’ “obeissance” to Algiers. Mariani is known for taking strong positions against Macron’s foreign policy, mainly with respect to Morocco. He has called for France to prioritize its relationship with Morocco and strengthen ties.