French prime minister lecornu’s strategic visit to Rabat to strengthen ties

Key objectives of the French Prime Minister’s visit to Morocco

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu embarks on his inaugural international tour this week, with Rabat as his first official destination. The two-day visit, scheduled for July 15-16, aims to deepen the strategic partnership between France and Morocco, following a period of diplomatic rapprochement.

Diplomatic agenda and high-level meetings

Lecornu will be accompanied by a delegation of key ministers, including Jean-Noël Barrot (Foreign Affairs) and Laurent Nuñez (Interior), for meetings with Moroccan officials. The highlight will be a high-level bilateral summit with Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, marking the first such encounter since 2019.

The visit follows a landmark moment in Franco-Moroccan relations when French President Emmanuel Macron formally endorsed Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara in mid-2024. This move, widely praised in Rabat, has significantly improved bilateral ties after years of strained relations, including visa disputes and espionage allegations.

Economic and security cooperation on the agenda

The discussions will cover a wide range of sectors, with plans to formalize several agreements in economy, security, migration, and defense. The visit will commence with a ceremonial welcome and a wreath-laying at the royal mausoleum, followed by a bilateral meeting and a working lunch hosted by King Mohammed VI.

A key security topic will be the potential extradition of Ismael Benahmed, a Franco-Moroccan national arrested in Morocco and wanted in France for a 2019 homicide case. Meanwhile, Morocco has expressed appreciation for France’s backing of its autonomy plan for Western Sahara, which contributed to a recent UN resolution favorable to Rabat’s stance.

Path to an exceptional partnership

The visit sets the stage for a potential state visit by King Mohammed VI to France, where a landmark strategic treaty could be signed. While no date has been confirmed, diplomats from both nations have indicated this as a long-term goal. The last official visit by the Moroccan monarch to France dates back to 2000.

This trip marks Lecornu’s first foreign mission since assuming office in late 2025, following a politically turbulent period in France. The Prime Minister’s itinerary includes a stop in Qatar to pay respects to the late Emir, before proceeding to Rabat.