Rabat to host the 15th high-level Morocco-France meeting this Thursday
This Thursday, July 16, the Moroccan and French governments will convene in Rabat for the fifteenth session of their high-level bilateral meeting. The gathering underscores the deepening ties between the two nations under the framework of their “exceptional and strengthened partnership.”
The session will be co-chaired by His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco and French President Emmanuel Macron, as outlined in an official statement from the Moroccan government.
During a recent visit to Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakech, and Laâyoune, French Ambassador Philippe Lalliot highlighted the tangible progress being made in the relationship. “From Rabat to Laâyoune, we’re not just discussing the future—we’re actively building it, day by day,” he remarked. The ambassador was joined by Mohamed Saad Berrada, Morocco’s Minister of National Education, Preschool, and Sports, who represented the Moroccan government.
Speaking on the breadth of cooperation between the two countries, Ambassador Lalliot referenced French President Emmanuel Macron’s July 2024 letter to King Mohammed VI, where France reaffirmed its stance that “the future of the Sahara is tied to Morocco’s sovereignty.”
The French diplomat also emphasized France’s role as Morocco’s top foreign investor and employer, noting how French enterprises have been instrumental in shaping Morocco’s industrial growth for over a decade.
Addressing the session’s priorities, he outlined three key areas of focus: jointly addressing global challenges and reinforcing security; collaborating to dominate emerging economic sectors; and strengthening societal bonds, particularly between the youth of both nations, who represent the future of Moroccan-French relations.
Key highlights of the Morocco-France partnership
- Economic collaboration: France remains Morocco’s leading foreign investor, with French companies playing a pivotal role in the country’s industrial development.
- Political alignment: The meeting reaffirms France’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara, as stated in President Macron’s 2024 letter.
- Youth engagement: Both nations are prioritizing exchanges and initiatives to foster stronger ties between their young populations.