France and Morocco strengthen diplomatic ties as French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu arrives in Rabat for a landmark two-day visit.
Sébastien Lecornu, accompanied by key ministers including Foreign Affairs representative Jean-Noël Barrot and Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, will engage in high-level discussions with Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch on Wednesday and Thursday. This official visit marks a pivotal moment in Franco-Moroccan relations, following years of diplomatic strain.
Since President Emmanuel Macron’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara in mid-2024, relations have steadily improved. The French head of state’s three-day state visit to Rabat in October 2024, marked by lavish ceremonies and the signing of multiple trade agreements, signaled a clear thaw in tensions—stemming from espionage allegations and visa disputes.
key agreements and bilateral cooperation
Lecornu’s visit, his first international trip since assuming office in late 2025, will feature a ceremonial welcome, a wreath-laying at the royal mausoleum, and a series of bilateral meetings. A joint session between French and Moroccan delegations at the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expected to culminate in the signing of new accords, focusing on economic, security, migration, and defense collaboration.
The visit is anticipated to inject fresh momentum into longstanding Franco-Moroccan relations, fostering deeper and more sustainable cooperation across critical sectors.
security and diplomatic priorities
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez will hold separate discussions with Moroccan counterpart Abdelouafi Laftit, including the potential extradition of Franco-Moroccan national Ismael Benahmed to France. Benahmed, arrested in Morocco earlier this year, is wanted in connection with a 2019 homicide case in Paris.
The strengthening alliance between France and Morocco is also set to attract increased French investment into the kingdom, further solidifying their strategic partnership.
The visit may culminate in a historic state visit by King Mohammed VI to France, accompanied by the signing of a landmark treaty to formalize a new era of “exceptional” Franco-Moroccan relations. While no date has been confirmed, both foreign ministries have signaled their intent to move forward with this initiative.