To strengthen the enduring partnership between France and Morocco, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is set to embark on a crucial two-day official visit to Rabat, kicking off on Wednesday and concluding on Thursday. The agenda includes high-level discussions with his counterpart, Aziz Akhannouch, marking the first such meeting since 2019.
This visit follows a period of renewed diplomatic engagement between the two nations. Earlier this year, Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed France’s backing for Morocco’s claim over the disputed Western Sahara region, a stance that drew sharp criticism from Algeria. The French President’s subsequent three-day state visit to Rabat in October 2024 further solidified ties, ending years of strained relations that stemmed from espionage allegations and visa disputes. The visit culminated in the signing of multiple bilateral agreements.
Key agreements on the horizon
As Sébastien Lecornu embarks on his first international trip since assuming office in late 2025, the visit underscores France’s commitment to deepen collaboration with Morocco. The schedule includes a ceremonial welcome on Wednesday evening, a tribute at the royal mausoleum on Thursday morning, and a series of bilateral meetings. A joint session between delegations will take place at the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, culminating in the signing of several accords aimed at enhancing economic, security, migration, and defense ties.
The anticipated agreements are expected to inject fresh momentum into the longstanding alliance between the two countries, fostering a more robust and sustainable partnership.
Potential extradition and future investments
During the visit, Laurent Nuñez, France’s Interior Minister, will hold discussions with his Moroccan counterpart, Abdelouafi Laftit, focusing on the extradition of Ismael Benahmed, a Franco-Moroccan national arrested in Morocco and accused of a 2019 murder in Paris.
Beyond diplomatic and security matters, the visit is poised to catalyze new French investments in Morocco, further solidifying economic ties between the two nations.
The visit also paves the way for a landmark state visit by King Mohammed VI to France. Plans for such a trip, accompanied by the signing of a comprehensive Franco-Moroccan partnership treaty, were announced in late May, though no specific date has been set.