Sébastien Lecornu’s first official overseas trip since assuming office was no ordinary visit. On July 15 and 16, 2026, the French Prime Minister traveled to Rabat, sending a clear diplomatic signal after years of strained relations between Paris and Morocco.
Leading a high-level delegation, Lecornu co-chaired the 15th Franco-Moroccan High-Level Meeting with Morocco’s Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch. This marked the first such gathering between the two countries since 2019, following a prolonged pause in institutional dialogue.
Twelve ministers accompany the French Prime Minister
The significance of the visit was underscored by the size of the French delegation—twelve ministers traveled with Lecornu. Among them were Laurent Nuñez, Minister of the Interior, and Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs. The unprecedented scale of the delegation reflected the priority Paris placed on this diplomatic mission.
In a post on social media platform X, Lecornu himself highlighted the historic nature of the visit, emphasizing that it was the first High-Level Meeting since 2019 and was personally welcomed by Morocco’s Head of Government.
A groundbreaking friendship treaty in the making
Beyond symbolic gestures, the visit resulted in the signing of several cooperation agreements, though details of each were not immediately disclosed. The most notable announcement was the preparation of an extraordinary friendship treaty between France and Morocco, described as “unprecedented in scope.”
This treaty is expected to be formally sealed during a future state visit by King Mohammed VI to France, though no date has yet been confirmed for the Moroccan monarch’s trip.
Royal welcome and protocol gestures
King Mohammed VI hosted an official lunch for the French delegation in Rabat on July 16. Following the meal, Lecornu and his team paid their respects at the royal mausoleum, laying wreaths on the tombs of Morocco’s revered former monarchs, Mohammed V and Hassan II—a customary diplomatic gesture for visiting heads of state.
In remarks to Moroccan media outlet Medi1TV, Lecornu described the visit as “a pivotal moment in the relationship between Rabat and Paris.”
A diplomatic thaw since 2024
For French observers, this visit represents the latest step in a gradual warming of relations that began in 2024. Tensions had persisted for years, particularly over issues such as the Western Sahara dispute and consular matters. The trip by Lecornu signals a new phase in the restored dialogue between the two capitals.
Morocco remains one of France’s most vital economic and diplomatic partners in Africa, reinforced by a substantial Franco-Moroccan community in both countries. The resumption of the High-Level Meeting—after years of interruption—served as a litmus test for the durability of the renewed partnership.
The next milestone on the horizon is the long-anticipated state visit of King Mohammed VI to France, though both sides have yet to finalize a timeline for the trip.
