French Culture Minister Rachida Dati visited the disputed Western Sahara on Monday during a trip to Morocco aimed at strengthening cultural ties with the North African nation.

Dati and a delegation from French cultural institutions visited the Moroccan-controlled cities of Laayoune and Dakhla in Western Sahara, as well as Tarfaya in southern Morocco, where she toured a nineteenth-century fortress and a museum.

Dati described the visit as a political, symbolic, historical, and cultural moment, highlighting that her stops in Laayoune, Tarfaya, and Dakhla would involve the signing of cultural agreements.

In Laayoune, she inaugurated a French Alliance, aimed at benefiting local students and educational institutions. The event was attended by Moroccan Culture Minister Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid and local officials.

Moroccan observers hailed the visit as a diplomatic win, solidifying Morocco’s presence in the disputed territory. Despite international court rulings supporting local self-determination, many Western nations have increasingly backed Morocco’s stance. France’s support last year notably strengthened Franco-Moroccan relations.

The visit also focused on enhancing cultural cooperation, including a new roadmap and a letter of intent on video game production.

Among the French cultural institutions represented were the National Center for Cinema and Animated Pictures (CNC), the National Library of France (BNF), and the National Audiovisual Institute (INA).

On Tuesday, Dati is scheduled to meet with Moroccan government members and visit the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rabat.

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