French PM’s Morocco visit amid press freedom concerns

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu landed in Rabat on July 15 for a two-day official visit, during which multiple agreements are set to be signed. The trip also paves the way for a future state visit by Morocco’s King Mohammed VI to France.

A dozen French ministers, including Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, accompanied the Prime Minister to finalize accords spanning economic cooperation, judicial collaboration, and defense initiatives. “Regional security remains a top priority for both Paris and Rabat,” noted an official briefing, citing the persistent instability in the Sahel and rising terrorism threats as key concerns driving the discussions.

This visit marks the first major diplomatic engagement abroad for Sébastien Lecornu since assuming office at Matignon. Just the day before, on July 14, he was in Qatar to convey France’s condolences following the passing of former Emir Hamad ben Khalifa Al Thani.

The timing of this Moroccan visit carries added significance, as diplomatic relations between the two nations had faced strain in 2021 and 2022, underscoring the importance of rebuilding and strengthening ties.