"The decision concerning the Sahara is a good one," stated Hidalgo on France's LCI channel on Thursday evening.

Pedro Sanchez had undertaken this path when it was more complicated for Spain and the Spanish Left to make this decision. I think this is a good thing, as it opens up new dialogue with Morocco, she enthused.

The Mayor of Paris also highlighted the excellent level of cooperation with her Moroccan counterparts. 

"I chair the International Association of French-Speaking Mayors and I'm lucky to have Moroccan mayors in Rabat, Casablanca and Marrakech, with whom I work exceptionally well. I'm therefore very pleased about writing a new chapter with Morocco", she said.

In a message to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the French President officially informed the Sovereign that “the present and future of the Sahara lie within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty,” according to a statement from the Royal Office.

The French President also reaffirms to HM the King “the unwavering position of France on this issue of national security for the Kingdom” and asserts that his country “intends to act in alignment with this position both nationally and internationally.”