France and Morocco set ambitious new cooperation goals

Speaking at the 15th High-Level Meeting between France and Morocco, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu described the gathering as a «turning point» in bilateral relations. He emphasized the need to «scale up» cooperation across critical areas such as security, counterterrorism, and joint initiatives in Africa. Morocco’s Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch echoed this sentiment, stressing the urgency of accelerating the implementation of commitments made under the 2024 exceptional strengthened partnership agreement.

Fifteen agreements on the horizon across key sectors

Both governments are preparing to sign approximately fifteen agreements spanning economic, security, migration, cultural, and defense sectors. Key projects include the development of a Regional Express Railway (RER) line in Rabat, defense industry partnerships, and enhanced cultural collaborations. The visit may also pave the way for a future state visit by King Mohammed VI to France, potentially culminating in the signing of an unprecedented friendship treaty proposed by Lecornu.

Strategic alignment despite lingering controversies

The visit follows a period of stabilized relations between Paris and Rabat, marked notably by France’s 2024 recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara. However, the trip occurs amid fresh reports from a media consortium alleging Morocco’s use of the Pegasus spyware. Neither the French government nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs commented on these claims, reaffirming their commitment to deepening ties with Morocco.