Opening of 6 Consulates in Southern Provinces Reinforces Morocco's Geopolitical Role, Italian Paper

Rome - Italian newspaper "Politecamente Coretto" said Friday that the opening of six consulates in the southern provinces of the Kingdom reinforces the geopolitical role of Morocco. The Italian daily, which recalled the official opening of the consulate general of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire on February 18 in Laayoune, echoed the statement of Ivorian Minister for African Integration and Ivorian Expatriates Ally Coulibaly, who affirmed that the opening of a consulate general in Laâyoune is a normal thing and is in line with the firm position of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire concerning the Moroccan Sahara. The newspaper quoted Coulibaly as saying that Côte d'Ivoire rejects any diktat concerning its conduct in international relations and that its decision to open a consulate general in Laayoune is "sovereign" and "consistent with its interests and values." The paper stressed that this declaration represents a model not only of firmness, but also of the strategic vision of Côte d'Ivoire towards Morocco and its southern provinces.

The newspaper said that "this part of Morocco is not only an important region for Africa but also a platform to consolidate the relations which link the Mediterranean region with the countries of sub-Saharan Africa", noting that the Southern Provinces of the Kingdom "are in reality a geographic center in an increasingly multi-polar world, in which Morocco is a major player thanks to the wisdom of HM King Mohammed VI and the foreign policy of the Kingdom." The newspaper strongly reiterated its call on Italian politicians and Italian regional authorities to strengthen their relations with Morocco and to open representation offices in the southern regions of the Kingdom.