In a carefully chosen diplomatic move, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu embarked on his first official overseas trip since taking office, landing in Rabat on July 15 and 16, 2026. The visit sent a clear message of renewed commitment between France and Morocco, following years of strained relations.
In the Moroccan capital, Lecornu co-chaired the 15th High-Level Meeting with Moroccan counterpart Aziz Akhannouch. This bilateral summit marked the first of its kind since 2019, signaling the resumption of high-level institutional dialogue after a prolonged pause.
a twelve-member ministerial delegation
The French Prime Minister did not arrive alone. Accompanying him was a delegation of twelve French ministers, including Laurent Nuñez, Minister of the Interior, and Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs. The size of the delegation underscored the significance Paris placed on this visit.
Lecornu took to social media platform X to highlight the historic nature of the trip, emphasizing its role in restoring a dialogue that had been dormant since 2019 and sharing the warmth of his welcome by Morocco’s head of government.
a landmark friendship treaty in the making
Beyond symbolic gestures, the visit facilitated the signing of multiple cooperation agreements between the two nations, though their specifics were not immediately disclosed. The most notable development was the announcement of an upcoming “exceptional” friendship treaty between France and Morocco.
This treaty is expected to be formally adopted during a future state visit by King Mohammed VI to France, according to officials from both sides. While no date has been confirmed for the monarch’s trip, preparations are underway.
royal honors and protocol gestures
In a display of diplomatic courtesy, King Mohammed VI hosted an official luncheon for the French delegation in Rabat on July 16. The visit also included a solemn tribute, as Lecornu and his team laid wreaths at the royal mausoleum, honoring the resting places of Mohammed V and Hassan II—a customary gesture for heads of state visiting Morocco.
Describing the visit as a “turning point” in relations between Rabat and Paris, Lecornu emphasized its role in charting a new course for bilateral cooperation.
diplomatic thaw since 2024
For observers, this visit represents the latest phase in a gradual thaw that began in 2024, after years of tension between the two nations, particularly over the Western Sahara issue and consular matters. The meeting in Rabat is seen as a litmus test for the durability of the renewed relationship.
Morocco remains one of France’s most vital economic and diplomatic partners in Africa, with a large Franco-Moroccan community in both countries. The resumption of this high-level dialogue, after years of interruption, reflects the depth of the ties that bind the two nations together.