France, April 17 -- EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is on a two-day visit to Rabat for talks both sides described as a moment of consolidation in EU-Morocco relations.

After meeting Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita on Thursday, Kallas described Morocco as a "close, reliable, and strategic partner".

She also repeated the EU's backing for Morocco's proposal to give Western Sahara limited self-rule, while Rabat keeps control over defence, foreign affairs and religion.

The EU aligned itself with the Moroccan autonomy plan in late January after lobbying by Emmanuel Macron and, to a lesser extent, Pedro Sanchez, according to Africa Intelligence. The support followed a similar move by the UN Security Council last October.

Macron ...