1. Political and strategic alignment
2. The human dimension: core of the Morocco-France partnership
3. Scaling up bilateral relations
4. Signed agreements

Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch emphasized that the fifteenth high-level Morocco-France meeting arrives at a pivotal moment in the journey undertaken by both nations since October 2024. This gathering provides an opportunity to assess progress and accelerate the implementation of commitments under the enhanced exceptional partnership framework.

This meeting represents a critical step toward achieving the next milestones—equally transformative and foundational—in implementing the directives of King Mohammed VI, which underscore Morocco’s commitment to fostering ambitious, balanced cooperation that creates future opportunities for both partners.

During this event, Prime Minister Akhannouch commended French President Emmanuel Macron’s dedication to injecting fresh dynamism into Morocco-France relations, solidifying an exceptional partnership between the Alaouite Kingdom and the French Republic.

Political and strategic alignment

In a global landscape marked by escalating crises and uncertainties, Morocco and France not only share a common goal of stability and cooperation but have also deepened their political and strategic dialogue on key regional and international issues. This collaboration is rooted in trust, shared responsibility, and mutual respect.

« This alignment has gained particular resonance in the Mediterranean, African, and Atlantic spaces, particularly following France’s firm stance in support of Morocco’s territorial integrity and the Moroccan nature of the Sahara, which has fostered a strengthened climate of trust, » Akhannouch noted.

« On the economic front, the momentum generated since President Emmanuel Macron’s last state visit has accelerated the implementation of transformative projects in industries such as decarbonization, infrastructure, renewable energy, logistics, innovation, and productive investment, » he added.

Prime Minister Akhannouch highlighted the strength and quality of Morocco-France cooperation, driven by the emergence of new value chains that position banking services as a cornerstone of the bilateral economic relationship.

The Moroccan head of government also underscored the shared commitment to promoting major technological transformations, with a focus on artificial intelligence, digitalization, applied research, and other strategic sectors poised to enhance the competitiveness of both economies.

The human dimension: core of the Morocco-France partnership

This exceptional and strengthened partnership extends beyond strategic and economic domains to embrace a shared conviction: the richness of human ties between the two societies. The human dimension—encompassing academics, researchers, entrepreneurs, artists, creators, and the diaspora—plays a vital role in bridging the two peoples and strengthening their cultural exchanges, Akhannouch emphasized.

Regarding human capital, he affirmed that both countries are advancing efforts in higher education, scientific research, vocational training, innovation, and talent mobility.

Concurrently, the two nations prioritize cultural cooperation, intercultural dialogue, the preservation of shared heritage, and the enhancement of human exchanges, which form the living and enduring foundation of their relationship.

In this context, Morocco and France reaffirmed their ambition to propel bilateral relations into the future by launching a new phase of their strategic partnership. This initiative is inspired by the vision of King Mohammed VI and France’s commitment to consolidating cooperation tailored to 21st-century challenges.

Both governments expressed their determination to translate political commitments into concrete results, aimed at building a more effective, innovative partnership capable of addressing the shared challenges they face together in economic, technological, geopolitical, and human domains.

Scaling up bilateral relations

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu stated that this high-level Morocco-France meeting signifies a turning point in bilateral relations, marking the implementation of commitments made during the historic state visit of the French president to Rabat in October 2024.

The primary commitment, he noted, was to elevate the Morocco-France partnership to new heights by fostering privileged inter-ministerial, political, diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties, establishing tailored governance between the two nations.

« France and Morocco aspire to consolidate a strategic partnership that not only strengthens their privileged relationship with the European Union but also serves as a bridge to renewed cooperation based on converging interests and oriented toward the development and stability of the African continent, » Lecornu explained. He reaffirmed France’s support for the autonomy plan aimed at providing a definitive solution to the Sahara conflict.

The two countries also emphasized that security will remain a cornerstone of their strategic partnership, alongside major demographic and environmental challenges facing the continent.

Both nations will intensify their coordination in combating terrorism and transnational threats, convinced that regional stability demands increasingly close diplomatic and security action, according to the French prime minister.

Indeed, both governments agreed on the necessity of taking their bilateral relations to the next level by opening the door to a new dynamic aimed at projecting Moroccan-French cooperation beyond bilateral frameworks and positioning it as an instrument for African development, stability, and integration.

Lecornu concluded by emphasizing that this high-level meeting marks a new stage in deepening the Franco-Moroccan partnership. This momentum, he added, will pave the way for the upcoming state visit of King Mohammed VI to France, a pivotal moment that could culminate in the signing of an exceptional friendship treaty to consolidate an unprecedented strategic partnership between the two countries.

Signed agreements

Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot signed a letter of intent on cooperation in feminist foreign policy, aiming to strengthen feminist diplomacy at both ministerial and international levels.

Additionally, Moroccan Economy and Finance Minister Nadia Fettah and her French counterpart Roland Lescure signed a memorandum of understanding confirming financing for the high-speed rail program between Kenitra and Marrakech.

A joint declaration was also signed, complementing the memorandum on water sector cooperation, initialed by Nadia Fettah, Roland Barrot, and Catherine Bonnaud, Director of the French Development Agency (AFD) in Morocco. This agreement elaborates on commitments made in the October 28, 2024, memorandum supporting Morocco’s national water policy.

Furthermore, Moroccan National Education Minister Mohamed Berrada and French Minister of State for Francophonie and International Associations Eléonore Caroit signed a declaration of intent on teaching Arabic and geography in Moroccan schools in France, aimed at fostering bilingual competence.

Additionally, Moroccan Transport and Logistics Minister Abdessamad Kayouh and his French counterpart Philippe Tabarot signed a three-year action plan (2026-2028) to implement technical cooperation in civil aviation.

Kayouh also signed an agreement with François Lambert, Director of France’s National Superior School of Maritime Studies (ENSM), to establish a partnership with Morocco’s Superior Institute of Maritime Studies (ISEM), aimed at strengthening academic and scientific exchanges between the two institutions.

Meanwhile, Moroccan Industry and Trade Minister Ryad Mezzour and Christelle Geneste Defaye, representative of La Poste Group’s Director General, concluded a cooperation agreement to adapt postal services to new challenges and enhance collaboration between the two operators.

In the cultural sphere, Moroccan Youth, Culture, and Communication Minister Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid and his French counterpart Catherine Pegard signed a declaration of intent on cooperation in cinema and moving images across Africa, as well as an agreement on artistic exchanges.

Bensaid also signed a strategic partnership agreement with Anne-Claire Legendre, President of the Arab World Institute, to establish a general framework for cooperation aimed at developing cultural, intellectual, and civic initiatives.

The Director General of Morocco’s Public Laboratory for Testing and Studies (LPEE), Hammou Bensaadout, and the Director General of France’s Center for Studies and Expertise on Risks, Environment, Mobility, and Development (CEREMA) signed a cooperation framework agreement covering areas such as soil engineering and expertise in port, hydraulic, and maritime infrastructure.

Finally, Abdelaziz El Hraiki, Director of the Agronomic and Veterinary Institute (IAV) Hassan II, and Jean-Paul Laclau, Deputy Director General for Research and Strategy at the International Cooperation Center for Agronomic Research for Development (CIRAD), signed a cooperation framework agreement covering agriculture, veterinary medicine, and fisheries and aquaculture sciences.