chargement...
The Occitanie region becomes the first in Europe to formalize a partnership with a region of Western Sahara, Dakhla Oued Ed-Dahab, reports l'Indépendant. This historic cooperation was officially established as the construction of an impressively large port, 40 km north of Dakhla, nears completion: 2,650 hectares, compared to the planned 220 hectares at Port-La Nouvelle in Aude. But beyond the numbers, other stakes—economic, environmental, geopolitical—are emerging.
On Thursday, April 24th, Carole Delga, President of the Occitanie region, welcomed a delegation of officials from Dakhla Oued Ed-Dahab to Toulouse, led by its president Yanja El Khattat. Nadya Talmi, the Consul General of Morocco in Toulouse, was also present. This meeting provided the opportunity to sign a letter of intent aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two territories in strategic areas: economy, industry, higher education, and the environment.
Model of the Dakhla Atlantic portModel of the Dakhla Atlantic port
Exchanges Beyond Ports
The next day, the Moroccan delegation visited Port-La Nouvelle. Not to compare the dimensions of the port projects, but to pave the way for future synergies. Representatives from both regions, along with those from Semop and the Moroccan consulate, spent a morning exchanging ideas, rich with potential.
This rapprochement is a continuation of an economic mission organized in 2023 in Dakhla, led by Jalil Benabdillah, Vice President of the Occitanie Region. Since then, the regional agency Ad’Occ has forged ties with the African Chamber of Commerce and Services in Dakhla. The new letter of intent now aims to consolidate these connections and stimulate cooperation between public and private actors in future-oriented sectors.
Shared Ambitions Around Strategic Sectors
Aerospace, green hydrogen, wind energy, sustainable mobility, research, tourism: these are some of the areas identified for developing joint projects. «We launched all this in a tense geopolitical context between France and Morocco regarding the Sahara, but the calming signals sent by President Macron have facilitated this rapprochement,» confided Jalil Benabdillah, present at Port-La Nouvelle for the occasion.
The Moroccan delegation showed particular interest in the renewable energy projects developed in Occitanie. Starting with the green hydrogen production plant, expected by the end of the year, and the prospects related to rail freight. An inspiring model for the future Atlantic port area of Dakhla.
«Building New Bridges» Between the Two Shores
While Dakhla is not on the Mediterranean coast, this does not limit the ambitions. The commercial exchanges between Morocco and France, notably via the Saint-Charles platform in Perpignan, already demonstrate the logistical potential to be exploited. The president of the Dakhla region has also expressed interest in the projects led by Occitanie in the field of renewable marine energies.
In Toulouse, Carole Delga recalled the foundations of this cooperation: «Occitanie and Morocco share a unique history, woven with deep cultural, human, and economic ties.» She also highlighted the presence of the Maison de l'Occitanie in Casablanca for over ten years—an exception among French regions.
«Today, we become the first French region to seal a partnership with Dakhla Oued Ed-Dahab. This opens promising prospects for our businesses and talents,» declared Carole Delga. This new axis of cooperation, oriented towards the future, is also part of the continuity of the «enhanced exceptional partnership» concluded in 2024 between Emmanuel Macron and King Mohammed VI.
