After presenting his credentials to King Mohammed VI, France’s new ambassador Philippe Lalliot chose the Paris Peace Forum’s spring meeting at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Rabat for his first public address. He linked the defense of international law, water cooperation, and upcoming bilateral milestones around a 350 million euro program.
Amid cascading global crises, Lalliot insisted multilateral rules remain vital. “International law is not dead,” he declared. “Its founding principles are just. It must be defended by principle, because it is precisely the shield of those who have none.” He called international law “the condition of peace, stability and security for the greatest number.”
The diplomat argued that the reflection on global imbalances and their solutions lies “at the heart of the exceptional partnership that unites France and Morocco.” He said the “Franco-Moroccan method” should inspire other nations. “I am convinced that our two countries, through their shared history and common vision of these challenges and the future, have a responsibility to set an example,” Lalliot stated, adding that this responsibility involves bringing people together ahead of key bilateral or multilateral summits.
He illustrated his point with a concrete initiative launched just after his arrival. “The day before yesterday, alongside the Moroccan minister of Equipment and Water, and my German, Italian and European counterparts, we launched a vast program worth nearly 350 million euros to support Morocco’s national water management strategy,” he said. The strategic project aims to improve knowledge of water resources—especially groundwater—strengthen coordinated management of climate-related events like floods, and expand wastewater reuse.
As the Rabat debates on energy and food security wrap up—topics central to the G7 summit in Évian from June 15 to 17—France and Morocco are finalizing a new cooperation framework expected to be announced soon.