During a press briefing on Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced a new chapter in bilateral relations between France and Morocco. The visit, which included a delegation of twelve ministers, underscored the growing cooperation between the two nations.

Lecornu was received with full military honors at Rabat’s airport, marking a stark contrast to the tensions that had persisted for nearly three years. The visit, which included the resumption of the High-Level Meeting between the two delegations—an institution that had not convened since 2019—was described by Lecornu as a “turning point” in bilateral relations.

Key developments in the partnership

At the heart of the discussions was the potential for a “treaty of friendship” between France and Morocco, along with plans for a future visit by King Mohammed VI to Paris. These developments follow a series of high-level exchanges, including a state visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to Rabat in October 2024, which put an end to a period of strained relations.

The two countries also highlighted their shared interests in Africa, particularly in combating the growing threat of jihadist groups in the Sahel region. Lecornu proposed positioning Morocco as a “bridging point” for the kingdom’s relationship with the European Union, while Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch emphasized the need to accelerate the implementation of commitments made in 2024.

Addressing past tensions

The visit took place amid ongoing scrutiny over the use of the Pegasus spyware, with reports alleging Morocco’s involvement in targeting French officials. Despite these claims, Morocco has consistently denied any wrongdoing, dismissing the allegations as “false and unfounded”.

The French delegation, led by Lecornu and including Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, focused on strengthening security cooperation and counterterrorism efforts.

A new strategic alliance

In a message relayed by Morocco’s official news agency, MAP, King Mohammed VI welcomed the consolidation of privileged relations between the two countries. The visit concluded with a commitment to deepen collaboration on security, economic, and humanitarian issues in the Sahel.

The Prime Minister’s visit to Rabat signals a renewed commitment to fostering strong ties between France and Morocco, with both nations poised to take their partnership to the next level.