French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu will pay an official visit to Rabat on Wednesday and Thursday to strengthen relations between France and Morocco. The high-level meeting is expected to yield several agreements and pave the way for a new phase in the rapprochement between the two countries.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is accompanied by a dozen French ministers, including Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez.
It is Lecornu's first visit to the country since becoming Prime Minister in 2025.
Lecornu is to meet his Moroccan counterpart, Aziz Akhannouch, for the first high-level meeting between the two governments since 2019.
Discussions will focus on cooperation in areas such as the economy, security, migration and defence, with the signing of several agreements expected at the conclusion of the meeting.
Rapprochement underway
According to the French Embassy in Morocco's website, relations between Rabat and Paris are now defined by a "reinforced exceptional partnership."
This partnership rests on three main pillars: political and strategic alignment; economic development and social cohesion; and strategic sovereignty, alongside the strengthening of human ties between the two countries.
Relations between Paris and Rabat have strengthened significantly since France recognised Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in 2024.
President Emmanuel Macron visited Morocco a few months later, in October, which marked the revitalisation of the bilateral partnership, following several years of tension.
"Relations are now excellent; the goal is to reap the benefits," Hasni Abidi, director of the Geneva-based Centre for Studies and Research on the Arab and Mediterranean World (CERMAM), told AFP.
Morocco over Algeria
France views Morocco as a strategic partner in North Africa, a move that comes against the backdrop of fragile relations with Algeria.
"Macron no longer feels the need to carefully balance his relations between Morocco and Algeria," Abidi added.
"Emmanuel Macron, who is nearing the end of his term, does not want to leave office with a failure regarding Algeria in the Maghreb, so he is turning decisively toward Morocco," explains historian Pierre Vermeren.
Paris appears to want to rely more heavily on its Moroccan partner now, given that Algiers remains sparing with intelligence, despite the resumption of Franco-Algerian cooperation.
King Mohammed VI to visit France?
This visit could also pave the way for a trip to France by King Mohammed VI.
The two countries are working on signing a treaty establishing an "exceptional" Franco-Moroccan partnership, a move announced in principle last spring, though the date for finalising the agreement has not yet been revealed.
France remains Morocco's leading economic and financial partner, while the Kingdom is France's top African customer and supplier.
Trade between the two countries reached a record high of €14.8 billion in 2024, more than double the 2015 figure.
Morocco accounts for over 40 per cent of French exports to Africa, particularly in the transport, electronic equipment, chemical and cosmetics sectors.
The rapprochement is also expected to lead to new French investments.
The last visit to France by a Moroccan monarch dates back to March 2000, when King Mohammed VI made a three-day trip, also aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation.
(with AFP)
