Calls to boycott French products have been launched in Morocco following France’s decision to reduce by 50% the granting of visas for Moroccans and the decision of the European Court of Justice to cancel two free trade agreements on agricultural products and fisheries between the kingdom and the EU.
During a reception organized at the Élysée on Thursday, September 30, French President Emmanuel Macron revealed the real reasons for tightening the granting of visas for Moroccans , Algerians and Tunisians.
The decision by France to reduce by 50% the granting of visas for Moroccans and Algerians and by 30% for Tunisians is provoking a reaction from the Moroccan branch of the National Office of French Abroad. It denounces this project and calls for its outright withdrawal.
France is now taking a firm stance towards Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, which do not allow the return of their expelled nationals. Minister Gérald Darmanin affirms that as long as these countries do not take back their compatriots, "we do not accept them". On Tuesday, Paris decided to reduce visa issuance by 50% for Moroccans and Algerians and by 30% for Tunisians.
France has decided to tighten the granting of visas for Moroccans, Algerians and Tunisians, thus carrying out its threat . It had warned that it would drastically reduce (50%) visas if Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia did not agree to issue the consular laissez-passer necessary for the return of their nationals rejected from France.
In France, Morocco is the first country whose citizens have benefited the most from Schengen visas in 2020, dethroning China. This is indicated by data from the French Ministry of the Interior.
The Spanish government has just extended until June 30 the restrictions on travel from third countries to the European Union and the Schengen area. Morocco is affected.
The Spain visa center in Casablanca has resumed receiving Schengen visa applications. This announcement made by BLS International is good news for Moroccan citizens who had been penalized by the suspension that occurred due to the closure of the Schengen area.
The German embassy has decided to suspend Schengen visas for Moroccans, with the exception of certain categories. This decision follows Morocco’s decision to suspend all contact, interaction or action with both the German diplomatic representation in Rabat and the German cooperation agencies and political foundations.
The court of first instance in Fez sentenced the main defendants in the case of forged Schengen visas to various prison sentences. Fifteen other defendants, including five young girls, were acquitted.
The mayor of Ceuta, Juan Vivas, plans to impose visas on all Moroccans starting next year. Until now, the residents of Tétouan and its region could travel there without any formalities.
Some officials from Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria who would rub up against the refusal to take back their undocumented migrants, would be pricked by the sanctions of France. This is the decision of this country which makes the expulsion of Maghreb nationals on the S list a priority.