Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu arrives in Rabat on Wednesday and Thursday for an official visit to deepen France Morocco relations. The two-day agenda includes a high-level meeting with Morocco’s head of government, Aziz Akhannouch, marking the first such encounter since 2019.
The timing of this trip underscores the momentum in bilateral ties. Since Emmanuel Macron formally endorsed Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara in mid-2024, relations have steadily improved. That recognition, which drew sharp criticism from Algiers, was followed by a three-day state visit to Rabat in October, where dozens of agreements were signed to restore partnership ties strained by espionage allegations and visa disputes.
Lecornu’s visit comes at a pivotal moment. His first foreign trip since assuming office in late 2025 begins with a formal military welcome on Wednesday evening. Thursday’s schedule includes a ceremonial wreath-laying at the royal mausoleum, followed by in-depth talks between the two prime ministers. A joint meeting of delegations at Morocco’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs will conclude with the signing of several accords covering economic, security, migration, and defense cooperation.
Strengthening economic and strategic ties
French investment in Morocco is expected to rise as part of this renewed partnership. Discussions will also focus on ways to enhance regional stability, counter-terrorism efforts, and cross-border collaboration. Officials anticipate this visit will lay the groundwork for a new chapter of sustained cooperation between the two nations.
Security and migration on the agenda
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez will meet his counterpart, Abdelouafi Laftit, to address ongoing security concerns. One priority is the potential extradition of Franco-Moroccan national Ismael Benahmed, detained in Morocco in connection with a 2019 homicide in Paris. This case highlights the growing coordination between law enforcement agencies in both countries.
The visit may also pave the way for a landmark state visit by King Mohammed VI to France. Earlier this year, foreign ministers from both nations announced plans for a bilateral treaty to formalize a “special partnership.” While the exact timing remains unconfirmed, such a visit would cap a period of rapidly improving ties.
