٠٠:٠٢:٤٨Mandatory credit: SNRT
French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Rabat on Monday for a three-day visit, as Paris was seeking to repair its ties with the African country amid tensions over immigration and the disputed Western Sahara.
Footage shows Macron arriving at the airport and being welcomed by Morocco's King Mohammed VI and a reception ceremony. The pair then drove in a motorcade waving to spectators before their meeting.
France and Morocco later signed 22 agreements to increase co-operation and investments into cultural, scientific and economic projects worth 10 billion euros, including a highspeed train line between Kenitra and Marrakech.
Macron is also set to meet King Mohammed VI and Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch and will address parliament.
Among the French president's goals for the trip was to 'rebuild' the partnership with Morocco according to media reports and was also centred around migration as French lawmakers have called for tougher immigration rules.
Morocco recently expressed readiness to accept the return of illegal migrants but criticised the long process in host countries.
The relationship between France and Morocco has been strained in the last years due to France's stance on the disputed Western Sahara.
Morocco controls large parts of the territory but the Algeria-backed Polisario Front is seeking independence and declared a war of 'self-defence'. In July, Macron expressed support for Morocco's autonomy plan for the region and said it was the only basis to resolve the conflict and France has recognised the country's sovereignty over the area. Algeria denounced the decision.
Macron visits Rabat to discuss immigration as Paris seeks to 'rebuild' ties with Morocco
French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Rabat on Monday for a three-day visit, as Paris was seeking to repair its ties with the African country amid tensions over immigration and the disputed Western Sahara.
Footage shows Macron arriving at the airport and being welcomed by Morocco's King Mohammed VI and a reception ceremony. The pair then drove in a motorcade waving to spectators before their meeting.
France and Morocco later signed 22 agreements to increase co-operation and investments into cultural, scientific and economic projects worth 10 billion euros, including a highspeed train line between Kenitra and Marrakech.
Macron is also set to meet King Mohammed VI and Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch and will address parliament.
Among the French president's goals for the trip was to 'rebuild' the partnership with Morocco according to media reports and was also centred around migration as French lawmakers have called for tougher immigration rules.
Morocco recently expressed readiness to accept the return of illegal migrants but criticised the long process in host countries.
The relationship between France and Morocco has been strained in the last years due to France's stance on the disputed Western Sahara.
Morocco controls large parts of the territory but the Algeria-backed Polisario Front is seeking independence and declared a war of 'self-defence'. In July, Macron expressed support for Morocco's autonomy plan for the region and said it was the only basis to resolve the conflict and France has recognised the country's sovereignty over the area. Algeria denounced the decision.
Mandatory credit: SNRT
French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Rabat on Monday for a three-day visit, as Paris was seeking to repair its ties with the African country amid tensions over immigration and the disputed Western Sahara.
Footage shows Macron arriving at the airport and being welcomed by Morocco's King Mohammed VI and a reception ceremony. The pair then drove in a motorcade waving to spectators before their meeting.
France and Morocco later signed 22 agreements to increase co-operation and investments into cultural, scientific and economic projects worth 10 billion euros, including a highspeed train line between Kenitra and Marrakech.
Macron is also set to meet King Mohammed VI and Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch and will address parliament.
Among the French president's goals for the trip was to 'rebuild' the partnership with Morocco according to media reports and was also centred around migration as French lawmakers have called for tougher immigration rules.
Morocco recently expressed readiness to accept the return of illegal migrants but criticised the long process in host countries.
The relationship between France and Morocco has been strained in the last years due to France's stance on the disputed Western Sahara.
Morocco controls large parts of the territory but the Algeria-backed Polisario Front is seeking independence and declared a war of 'self-defence'. In July, Macron expressed support for Morocco's autonomy plan for the region and said it was the only basis to resolve the conflict and France has recognised the country's sovereignty over the area. Algeria denounced the decision.