The Madagascan president received in Paris by Emmanuel Macron for a beginning of appeasement
Emmanuel Macron and Andry Rajoelina, August 27, 2021 in Paris.
AFP - BERTRAND GUAY
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
After nearly two years of diplomatic tensions between France and Madagascar, Emmanuel Macron received Andry Rajoelina this Friday, August 27, 2021 at the Élysée.
The content of the meeting was not made public, but in opening statements, the two heads of state showed their mutual sympathy.
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From the outset, the hug between the two presidents was warm.
Despite the latest diplomatic tensions between Paris and Antananarivo, Emmanuel Macron spoke directly to his counterpart during his welcome speech.
Mr. President, I wanted to tell you of the friendship that binds our two countries, also to renew my attachment to your success where you are, and my personal attachment to the success of the projects that you have to carry out in the service of your people.
Same tone in the words of Andry Rajoelina.
The Malagasy president, who had surprised his world by declaring to claim the
Scattered Islands
in the middle of a press conference two years ago, this time put forward the unity between the two countries.
Our common will is to strengthen the friendship that binds us.
For the good of our respective countries, we will lean on everything that brings us together, rather than dwell on what might divide us.
Beyond the diplomatic problems which, according to a source close to the Elysee Palace, were addressed calmly during the interview, the visit of the Madagascan head of state had above all an economic tinge.
Several projects should be released soon
According to our information, several projects between the two countries will be unblocked in the coming weeks.
These include an airport project, but also two hydroelectric dam projects which, until then, were struggling to move forward.
From a health and humanitarian point of view, France is also committed to continuing the aid it provides to the Big Island, in the fight against the coronavirus and the famine which is raging in the south of Madagascar.
On sensitive subjects, the two presidents agreed to relaunch the joint commission on the subject of the Scattered Islands, a commission which had ceased all dialogue for many months.
As for the
Apollo 21 affair
, a supposed project of assassination of the Madagascan president by two French people, which poisoned relations: according to a source close to the Elysee, the exchanges, calm and peaceful, only focused on the situation of the two men concerned, and not on a possible responsibility of France.
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Madagascar
France
Diplomacy
Emmanuel Macron
Andry Rajoelina