French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu embarks on his inaugural international tour this week, with Rabat as his first official destination. His two-day visit on July 15–16 signals a renewed push to deepen France–Morocco relations, marked by high-level discussions and potential landmark agreements.
The visit follows a series of diplomatic breakthroughs between Paris and Rabat, including France’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara region in mid-2024. This stance, which contrasted sharply with Algeria’s position, paved the way for a landmark state visit by the French president to Morocco in October 2024. That trip concluded with the signing of multiple economic and security contracts, restoring confidence between the two nations after years of strained ties.
diplomatic momentum in the Maghreb
Morocco has since emerged as a cornerstone of France’s Maghreb strategy, with Paris no longer prioritizing an artificial balance between Rabat and Algiers. Analysts describe the current climate as one of unprecedented cooperation, with Emmanuel Macron opting to prioritize partnerships based on mutual benefit rather than diplomatic caution.
“The relationship is now flourishing, and we are seeing the tangible benefits,” notes Hasni Abidi, director of the Geneva Centre for Studies and Research on the Arab and Mediterranean World. He adds that France’s approach has shifted, focusing solely on strengthening its alliance with Morocco without regard to Algeria’s sensitivities.
key agenda items in Rabat
Upon arrival, Lecornu will be greeted with full military honors before attending a solemn ceremony at the royal mausoleum, honoring the legacy of King Mohammed V and King Hassan II. The centerpiece of the visit will be a bilateral meeting with Morocco’s Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, the first such high-level encounter since 2019.
The agenda includes a joint delegation session at the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where several agreements are expected to be signed across trade, security, migration and defense. The Prime Minister will then attend an official luncheon hosted by King Mohammed VI, further underscoring the visit’s significance.
Among the critical discussions will be the potential extradition of Ismael Benahmed, a Franco-Moroccan national arrested recently in Morocco and wanted in France for a 2019 homicide case. Additionally, both sides are expected to reaffirm their support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for the Sahara, which gained international backing through a 2025 UN resolution—an outcome that further strained Morocco’s relations with Algeria.
path to a historic partnership
The visit also sets the stage for a potential historic return of King Mohammed VI to France, a trip that could culminate in the signing of a bilateral treaty formalizing a “unique partnership.” While no date has been confirmed, officials from both countries announced the agreement in principle in late May. The last state visit by a Moroccan monarch to France dates back to March 2000.
For Lecornu, this marks his first foreign trip since assuming office amid political turbulence in late 2025. His itinerary includes a stop in Qatar to pay respects to the late Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani before proceeding directly to Rabat.
