Bourita Responds Firmly to France: Morocco’s Laws Are Clear and PCR Is Necessary To Enter The National Territory

Last updated Sep 28, 2021

Nasser Bourita, the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated on Tuesday that France’s move to lower visas for Moroccans is unjustified.

During a press conference with Mauritanian Foreign Minister Ismail Ould Cheikh, who is on an official visit to Morocco, Bourita said that Morocco has always dealt with the issue of immigration and people movement in its area of responsibility, striking a balance between facilitating usual people’s movement and combating clandestine immigration.

The Moroccan official affirmed that Morocco dealt with people in illegal situations pragmatically and firmly, stressing that Rabat had approved the return of 400 people facing deportation.

Bourita said that the problem is French-French, noting that the deportation of immigrants to Morocco requires two conditions, the first of which is that he must have a document proving that he is Moroccan, and the second is that he undergoes a test against Corona PCR.

What France did not say, according to the Moroccan source, is that the deportees refuse to undergo the PCR test since France does not require those on its territory to do so, according to Moroccan law.

Morocco’s laws for entry into the country are clear, according to Bourita (a document that allows its holder to enter in addition to undergoing a PCR test).

According to the same speaker, France’s decision does not reflect the reality of important consular cooperation in the fight against immigration, as well as Morocco’s responsible stance.

In an unprecedented move, France has decided to reduce the number of visas it issues to Moroccans, citing Rabat’s unwillingness to accept a number of refugees facing deportation orders as justification.