During these two days, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s official visit to Rabat, accompanied by over a dozen ministers, transcended the boundaries of a routine diplomatic engagement. It served as a powerful political declaration, deepening the extraordinary partnership between the two nations after a period of strained relations before 2024. Marking the first high-level intergovernmental meeting since 2019, this visit underscores a clear transition: France and Morocco have entered a renewed phase of an exceptional partnership, soon to be formalized by a bilateral treaty.
This visit aligns with the insights shared in my recent book, Morocco: The Strength of Stability, published by Éditions du Cherche Midi. Amidst a Mediterranean and Middle Eastern landscape plagued by crises, the Kingdom has emerged as one of the few bastions of stability that France can—and must—rely on for the long term.
An oasis of stability in a shifting region
The Mediterranean and its surrounding regions—from the Sahel to Libya, the Middle East to Iran’s nuclear negotiations—have become hotbeds of instability since the Arab Spring’s aftermath. Terrorism, migration flows, energy rivalries, and geopolitical competition now define this strategic frontier.
In this volatile landscape, Morocco stands out. The Kingdom has maintained remarkable political stability while modernizing its economy, infrastructure, industry, and military capabilities. It has cultivated credibility as a partner for the United States, the European Union, Gulf monarchies, and increasingly, African nations. Its diplomacy, rooted in dialogue and pragmatism, enables it to engage with actors who have long ceased diplomatic communication. This bridge-building approach is now a cornerstone of its geopolitical influence.
Morocco: an indispensable ally for France
The dynamics of bilateral relations shifted significantly after France’s endorsement of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara and President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Rabat in October 2024. Since then, both nations have launched an enhanced exceptional partnership, structured around cooperation in security, defense, energy, industry, innovation, infrastructure, and culture.
The Prime Minister’s visit, alongside a substantial ministerial delegation, signals that this ambition is no longer merely diplomatic—it is operational. Defense, intelligence, domestic security, investments, energy, transportation, artificial intelligence, and education: rarely have so many sectors been aligned under a shared political vision.
Such a comprehensive governmental mobilization reflects a deliberate commitment to fostering a long-term relationship between two states with increasingly aligned strategic interests.
A partnership built on trust
Morocco is far more than a Mediterranean neighbor to France. It is a key ally in counterterrorism efforts, a linchpin of stability in the Sahel, an industrial hub oriented toward Europe, a logistics gateway connecting both shores of the Mediterranean, and a pivotal entry point into Sub-Saharan Africa.
In an era where supply chains are fragile, migration crises intensify, and energy challenges reshape alliances, having a reliable partner like Morocco offers France a significant strategic advantage. Franco-Moroccan cooperation in intelligence and security is frequently cited as one of the most effective in combating terrorism and organized crime—a trust forged over years of collaboration and shared objectives.
A mutually beneficial alliance
The Franco-Moroccan relationship is no longer confined to historical ties or human connections, as significant as they may be. Today, it is driven by geopolitical realities. As Europe seeks to secure its supply chains, expand its presence in Africa, and stabilize its Mediterranean neighborhood, Morocco has become a natural partner. Its industrial growth, strategic port infrastructure in Tanger Med, commitment to renewable energy, and African outreach position it as an essential player in new Euro-African value chains.
From automotive and aerospace industries to green hydrogen, rail infrastructure, artificial intelligence, security, and military cooperation, few bilateral partnerships have seen such a broad and positive alignment of interests. While many international alliances falter, the one between Paris and Rabat demonstrates that relationships rooted in political trust, mutual respect, and shared goals yield tangible results.
The recent events—culminating in this historic visit—reaffirm a critical truth: in a Mediterranean under pressure and a Middle East in flux, Morocco has become one of France’s most robust, reliable, and strategically vital partners.
Ultimately, this exceptional relationship is no longer just an historical legacy. It has evolved into a strategic choice for the future, and France would be wise to position Morocco as its primary southern Mediterranean partner in navigating today’s global upheavals.