Rabat, July 18, 2026 – The Europe Today: Morocco and France reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations on Thursday as King Mohammed VI hosted a luncheon in honour of French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and his accompanying delegation during an official visit to the Kingdom.
The luncheon, presided over by Moroccan Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch, was attended by senior officials from both countries, reflecting the growing momentum in the Morocco-France strategic partnership.
The French delegation included Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot and other senior officials. Representing Morocco were Speaker of the House of Representatives Rachid Talbi Alami, Royal Advisors Omar Azziman and Omar Kabbaj, Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit and Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Lecornu and Head of Government Akhannouch co-chaired the 15th Morocco-France High-Level Meeting, held within the framework of implementing the enhanced exceptional partnership launched by King Mohammed VI and French President Emmanuel Macron.
The high-level meeting brought together ministers from both countries to review progress achieved since President Macron’s state visit to Morocco in October 2024 and to identify new avenues for bilateral cooperation.
Addressing the opening session, Prime Minister Lecornu described the meeting as a “turning point” in Morocco-France relations, saying both nations were working to elevate their partnership to a new level.
He said the meeting provided an opportunity to assess the implementation of decisions taken by King Mohammed VI and President Macron while expanding cooperation in key areas, including security, counterterrorism, diplomacy and responses to global challenges.
Lecornu also announced that preparations are underway for a future state visit by King Mohammed VI to France, expressing hope that the visit would lead to historic outcomes, including the conclusion of an “unprecedented friendship treaty” that would further strengthen the exceptional partnership established during President Macron’s 2024 visit to Morocco.
A major outcome of the meeting was the signing of 14 bilateral cooperation agreements covering a broad range of sectors, including transport, water management, education, culture, scientific research, infrastructure, postal services and defence.
Among the agreements were financing arrangements by the French Development Agency (AFD) for the Rabat Regional Express Rail project and water sector initiatives, as well as partnerships in maritime education, scientific research, youth and cultural exchanges, and enhanced bilateral defence cooperation.
Prime Minister Lecornu reaffirmed France’s intention to remain one of Morocco’s principal partners within the European Union while expanding joint initiatives across Africa in areas such as regional security, demographic challenges and environmental sustainability.
Morocco-France relations have witnessed significant growth since President Emmanuel Macron’s 2024 visit to the Kingdom, during which France endorsed Morocco’s autonomy initiative as the sole basis for resolving the Sahara issue and reaffirmed its position that the territory’s present and future fall within Morocco’s sovereignty.
Since then, Rabat and Paris have substantially expanded cooperation in investment, infrastructure, transport, energy, security, education and other strategic sectors, reinforcing their renewed partnership and shared commitment to regional stability and sustainable development.
