Rabat, May 21, 2026 – The Europe Today: Morocco’s Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita announced that a visit by Mohammed VI to France has been officially scheduled, underscoring the growing strength of bilateral relations between the two countries.
Bourita made the remarks during a joint press conference in Rabat with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, who is visiting Morocco to participate in a ministerial conference on peacekeeping in the Francophone environment.
While the Moroccan foreign minister did not disclose the exact date of the monarch’s visit, he emphasized that it would be marked by a significant event, notably the signing of a Moroccan-French friendship treaty.
According to Bourita, the treaty will represent both a “political and legal milestone” in relations between Rabat and Paris.
For his part, Barrot said France was also preparing to welcome King Mohammed VI, highlighting the importance Paris attaches to its partnership with Morocco.
Ahead of the royal visit, the two countries are expected to convene a meeting of the High Joint Commission in July, to be co-chaired by the heads of government of both nations.
Speaking to the press, Barrot stressed the strategic value of Moroccan-French relations, describing the enhanced partnership as an important force for stability and cooperation.
“Our enhanced exceptional partnership is a powerful tool to project stability and foster concrete solutions,” Barrot said, adding that both countries seek to promote renewed multilateralism connecting Europe and Africa beyond bloc politics.
Bourita, meanwhile, praised the growing momentum in bilateral ties following the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Morocco in October 2024.
“Since the presidential visit to Morocco, there have been more than 40 ministerial meetings between Moroccan and French ministries, which reflects the strength and solidity that characterizes Moroccan–French relations,” he said.
He added that the number of meetings is now approaching 50 and has significantly strengthened cooperation in economic affairs, security, consular matters, and people-to-people exchanges.
Relations between the two countries have deepened further since France adopted a more explicit position in support of Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara in 2024, backing Morocco’s Autonomy Plan more unequivocally.
Since then, Rabat and Paris have taken several steps to expand cooperation and reinforce their strategic partnership across multiple sectors.
