French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu will pay an official visit to Rabat on Wednesday and Thursday to strengthen relations between France and Morocco. The high-level meeting is expected to yield several agreements and pave the way for a new phase in the rapprochement between the two countries.
Issued on: 15/07/2026 - 06:33
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Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is accompanied by a dozen French ministers, including Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez. It is Lecornu's first visit to the country since becoming Prime Minister in 2025. Lecornu is to meet his Moroccan counterpart, Aziz Akhannouch, for the first high-level meeting between the two governments since 2019. Discussions will focus on cooperation in areas such as the economy, security, migration and defence, with the signing of several agreements expected at the conclusion of the meeting. Rapprochement underway According to the French Embassy in Morocco's website, relations between Rabat and Paris are now defined by a "reinforced exceptional partnership." This partnership rests on three main pillars: political and strategic alignment; economic development and social cohesion; and strategic sovereignty, alongside the strengthening of human ties between the two countries. Relations between Paris and Rabat have strengthened significantly since France recognised Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in 2024. EU backs Morocco autonomy plan for Western Sahara and eyes new partnership President Emmanuel Macron visited Morocco a few months later, in October, which marked the revitalisation of the bilateral partnership, following several years of tension. "Relations are now excellent; the goal is to reap the benefits," Hasni Abidi, director of the Geneva-based Centre for Studies and Research on the Arab and Mediterranean World (CERMAM), told AFP.
