Morocco and France deepen strategic partnership for shared growth
The fifteenth high-level Morocco-France meeting marks a pivotal moment in bilateral cooperation, reinforcing mutual support for Morocco’s territorial integrity and autonomy plan while advancing Africa’s development agenda.
Morocco’s Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch emphasized that the fifteenth high-level Morocco-France meeting arrives at a critical juncture in the bilateral partnership initiated in October 2024. This gathering serves as a platform to assess progress made and accelerate the implementation of commitments under the reinforced exceptional partnership framework between the two nations.
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The meeting aligns with the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, which underscores Morocco’s commitment to fostering ambitious, balanced cooperation that creates future opportunities for both partners.
In this context, Mr. Akhannouch praised 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 an era marked by global uncertainties, Morocco and France share not only a commitment to stability and cooperation but have deepened their political and strategic dialogue on key regional and international issues. This convergence is particularly evident in the Mediterranean, African and Atlantic spaces, following France’s unwavering support for Morocco’s territorial integrity and the Moroccan nature of the Sahara.
« This alignment has fostered an atmosphere of reinforced trust between our nations, » Mr. Akhannouch stated.
He highlighted that since President Macron’s last state visit, economic momentum has accelerated, with significant progress in industry, decarbonization, infrastructure, renewable energy, logistics, innovation and productive investment.
Mr. Akhannouch underscored the strength and quality of Morocco-France cooperation, driven by emerging value chains that position banking services as a cornerstone of bilateral economic relations.
The prime minister also emphasized the shared ambition to promote technological transformations, particularly in artificial intelligence, digitalization, applied research and other strategic sectors that will enhance the competitiveness of both economies.
human dimension: the foundation of Morocco-France cooperation
This strengthened partnership extends beyond strategic and economic realms, anchored in a shared belief that the richness of human ties between our societies is fundamental. The human dimension—encompassing academics, researchers, entrepreneurs, artists, creators and the diaspora—plays a vital role in fostering mutual understanding and deepening cultural exchanges, Mr. Akhannouch noted.
Regarding human capital, he affirmed that both countries are advancing efforts in higher education, scientific research, vocational training, innovation and talent mobility.
Cultural cooperation remains a priority, with a focus on intercultural dialogue, shared heritage and strengthening people-to-people exchanges—the living and enduring foundation of the bilateral relationship.
Both nations reaffirmed their ambition to propel their bilateral relations into the future, launching a new phase of strategic partnership inspired by King Mohammed VI’s vision and President Macron’s commitment to a cooperation tailored to 21st-century challenges.
« The two governments are determined to translate political commitments into tangible results, » Mr. Akhannouch stated, « building a partnership that is more effective, innovative and capable of addressing shared challenges in economic, technological, geopolitical and human domains. »
scaling up bilateral relations
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu described this high-level meeting as a turning point in Morocco-France relations. He noted that it operationalizes commitments made during President Macron’s historic state visit to Rabat in October 2024, particularly the goal of elevating the partnership through interministerial, political, diplomatic, economic and cultural ties.
« 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 for renewed cooperation based on convergent interests and oriented toward Africa’s development and stability, » Mr. Lecornu explained. He reiterated France’s support for the autonomy plan as a definitive solution to the Sahara issue.
The two countries also stressed that security remains a pillar of their strategic partnership, alongside demographic and environmental challenges facing the continent.
Enhanced coordination against terrorism and transnational threats was highlighted, with both governments recognizing that regional stability demands increasingly close diplomatic and security collaboration.
Mr. Lecornu concluded by emphasizing that the meeting marks a new phase in deepening Morocco-France ties, setting the stage for the King’s upcoming state visit to France—a pivotal moment that could culminate in an exceptional friendship treaty, cementing an unprecedented strategic partnership.
signed agreements
Foreign Ministers Nasser Bourita and Jean-Noël Barrot signed a letter of intent on feminist foreign policy cooperation to strengthen feminist diplomacy at both ministerial and international levels.
Additionally, Economy Ministers Nadia Fettah and Roland Lescure finalized an agreement to finance the high-speed rail line between Kenitra and Marrakech.
A joint declaration complemented the water partnership protocol, signed by Ms. Fettah, Roland Barrot and Catherine Bonnaud of the French Development Agency (AFD). This agreement further specifies commitments made under the October 28, 2024, protocol supporting Morocco’s national water policy.
Education Ministers Mohamed Berrada and Eléonore Caroit signed a declaration of intent to promote Arabic language and geography-history education in French schools in Morocco, fostering bilingual competence.
Transport Ministers Abdessamad Kayouh and Philippe Tabarot signed a three-year action plan (2026-2028) for technical cooperation in civil aviation. Mr. Kayouh also signed a partnership agreement with François Lambert of France’s École nationale supérieure maritime (ENSM) to consolidate academic and scientific exchanges with Morocco’s Institut supérieur d’études maritimes (ISEM).
Industry Ministers Ryad Mezzour and Christelle Geneste Defaye concluded a cooperation agreement to modernize postal services and strengthen collaboration between their operators.
In culture, Youth and Culture Minister Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid and his French counterpart Catherine Pegard signed declarations of intent on film and artistic exchanges in Africa. Mr. Bensaid also signed a strategic partnership agreement with Anne-Claire Legendre, President of the Institut du monde arabe, to develop cultural and intellectual initiatives.
Hammou Bensaadout of Morocco’s Laboratoire public d’essais et d’études and CEREMA’s director general formalized a framework agreement covering civil engineering and port, hydraulic and maritime infrastructure expertise.
Finally, Abdelaziz El Hraiki of the Institut agronomique et vétérinaire Hassan II and Jean-Paul Laclau of CIRAD signed a scientific cooperation framework agreement covering agriculture, veterinary medicine and fisheries sciences.
