High level Morocco-France talks focus on defense cooperation in Rabat

On direct instructions from King Mohammed VI, Supreme Commander and Chief of General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), Abdeltif Loudyi, Morocco’s Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of National Defense Administration, met with France’s Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs, Catherine Vautrin, this Thursday in Rabat. The meeting took place in the presence of a top-ranking military official: the army corps general, Inspector General of the FAR and Commander of the Southern Zone.

Minister Catherine Vautrin is part of a high-profile French delegation led by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, currently conducting a working visit to Morocco. The visit coincides with the 15th Morocco-France High-Level Meeting, aimed at bolstering and diversifying bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors.

During the discussions, the two sides signed a technical arrangement and a memorandum of understanding focused on defense industry collaboration, as confirmed by a statement from the National Defense Administration. The officials also explored ways to strengthen and expand military cooperation between the two nations, addressing bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest.

The joint commitment to deepen these ties was underscored by the implementation of legal instruments finalized during the 15th High-Level Meeting. Twenty-two ministers from both countries participated in the session, co-chaired by Morocco’s Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, and France’s Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu. The meeting culminated in the signing of eleven cooperation agreements spanning diverse fields, including the development of a Regional Express Rail (RER) network in Rabat, water resource management, and decentralization reforms.

The 15th Morocco-France High-Level Meeting unfolds against a backdrop of exceptional partnership and strengthened political ties, highlighted by France’s evolving stance. This includes official support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara and recognition of Moroccan authority over its southern provinces.