French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is making an official visit to Rabat this Wednesday and Thursday, aiming to solidify the strong franco-moroccan relations. He is scheduled to meet with his Moroccan counterpart, Aziz Akhannouch.
This significant diplomatic engagement, occurring on Wednesday, July 15, and Thursday, July 16, sees Sébastien Lecornu leading a delegation of approximately a dozen ministers, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, and the Minister of Interior, Laurent Nuñez. Their presence in Rabat underscores the importance of this official visit.
The French Prime Minister will engage in a “high-level meeting” with Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, marking the first such gathering between the two governments since 2019.
This journey signifies a mutual desire by both nations to deepen their rapprochement. franco-moroccan relations have seen a marked improvement following French President Emmanuel Macron’s recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara territory in the summer of 2024, a move that prompted a strong reaction from Algiers.
Later that same year, in October, President Macron was warmly welcomed in Rabat for a three-day state visit. This visit effectively brought an end to three years of diplomatic strain, which had been exacerbated by suspicions of espionage and a crisis concerning visas. The trip culminated in the signing of numerous agreements.
Anticipated Agreements
This marks Sébastien Lecornu’s inaugural international trip since assuming his role in the autumn of 2025. Following a military honors reception on Wednesday evening, both Prime Ministers are set to participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the royal mausoleum on Thursday morning, preceding their bilateral discussions.
Subsequently, a comprehensive meeting involving delegations from both countries will take place at the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This session is expected to conclude with the signing of several pivotal agreements. The agenda focuses on enhancing cooperation across various critical sectors, including economics, security, migration management, and defense.
Observers anticipate this visit will inject fresh momentum into the enduring historical ties between France and Morocco, paving the way for a new phase of more profound and sustainable cooperation.
Potential Royal Visit to France
In parallel, Laurent Nuñez is scheduled to hold discussions with his Moroccan counterpart, Abdelouafi Laftit. A key topic on their agenda will be the potential extradition to France of Franco-Moroccan national Ismael Benahmed, who is suspected of a 2019 murder in Paris and was recently apprehended in Morocco.
The ongoing strengthening of franco-moroccan relations is also projected to stimulate new French investments in the Kingdom.
A potential highlight for the bilateral relationship could be a state visit by King Mohammed VI to France, possibly accompanied by the signing of a treaty that would solidify an “exceptional” franco-moroccan partnership. While the Foreign Affairs ministers from both nations announced the principle of such an agreement in late May, a specific date has yet to be determined.
