French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu arrived in Rabat this Wednesday and will conclude his official visit on Thursday, aiming to bolster the strategic partnership between France and Morocco. He is set to meet his Moroccan counterpart, Aziz Akhannouch.

This significant engagement, spanning Wednesday, July 15, and Thursday, July 16, sees Prime Minister Lecornu leading a delegation that includes a dozen ministers, notably Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez. Their presence in the Moroccan capital underscores the importance both nations place on this diplomatic initiative.  

The French head of government is scheduled for a high-level dialogue with Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch. This marks the first such comprehensive inter-governmental meeting since 2019, signalling a renewed push for closer ties.

The visit is a direct reflection of both countries’ commitment to deepening their bond. Franco-Moroccan relations have seen a significant upswing since French President Emmanuel Macron formally recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara territory in the summer of 2024, a move that drew strong reactions from Algiers.

Following this, President Macron received a grand reception in Rabat during a three-day state visit in October of the same year. That trip effectively ended a three-year period of strained relations, which had been fueled by suspicions of espionage and a diplomatic crisis over visas. The visit culminated in the signing of numerous bilateral agreements.

Anticipated agreements and future prospects

This journey represents Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s inaugural international trip since assuming his role as head of government. The agenda began with military honors for the French delegation on Wednesday evening. Thursday morning will see both Prime Ministers participate in a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the royal mausoleum, followed by crucial bilateral discussions.  

Subsequently, delegations from both nations will convene at the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where the signing of several new agreements is anticipated. This segment of the visit is designed to foster deeper cooperation across various sectors, including economic development, security, migration management, and defense.

Local observers suggest this visit is poised to inject fresh momentum into the historic relationship between France and Morocco, paving the way for a more profound and enduring phase of collaboration.

A potential royal visit to France?

In a separate engagement, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez is scheduled to meet his Moroccan counterpart, Abdelouafi Laftit. Discussions are expected to include the potential extradition to France of Ismael Benahmed, a French-Moroccan national suspected in a 2019 Paris murder and recently apprehended in Morocco.

Further strengthening of Franco-Moroccan ties is also expected to manifest through new French investments in the kingdom.

The pinnacle of this evolving relationship could be a state visit by King Mohammed VI to France, potentially accompanied by the signing of a treaty that would enshrine an ‘exceptional’ Franco-Moroccan partnership. The foreign ministers of both countries announced the principle of such an accord in late May, though a specific date remains to be set.