UDC

Authors

Abstract

The article deals with the implementation of the French Gaullist foreign policy concept in relation to Morocco in the early 21st century. Morocco is a special country – unlike other countries of the Middle East it has no oil or gas reserves. However, European and American countries have shown growing interest in Morocco for a number of reasons. For over a decade, Morocco has managed to keep a relatively independent status in the Middle East. When shaping policy on Morocco, such EU countries as France, Germany and the UK are applying traditional “oil” methods of relations. At the same time, one of the newest and most dynamic areas of French policy in Morocco is development of renewable energy. In this context, “oil” foreign policy methods do not always prove efficient, while no new ones have been devised yet. This situation complicates the political relations between the two countries, but at the same time makes them innovative. To some extent the two states find and choose those foreign policy methods that can be productive in “politics without oil”. Moreover, French foreign policy is influenced by Gaullism, thus putting an unusual perspective on the relations between these two countries. It should be noted that French interests in renewable energy sources in Morocco are guarded by the French Development Agency whose effective work allows France to stay the key player in this Middle Eastern country. As a result, Moroccan economy has seen a growing presence of French capital in spite of the emergence of other countries on the Moroccan market.

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References

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