France and Morocco elevate strategic partnership with new agreements
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu concluded an official visit to Rabat on Thursday, signaling a bold new chapter in France-Morocco relations. The visit aimed to elevate bilateral cooperation to unprecedented levels, building on the momentum established by President Emmanuel Macron and King Mohammed VI following a high-profile summit in 2024.
The visit comes amid strengthened ties after France formally recognized Morocco‘s sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara territory in mid-2024—a move that strained relations with Algeria. The diplomatic thaw deepened in October 2024 when President Macron received a ceremonial welcome in Rabat, marking the end of three years of strained relations fueled by espionage allegations and visa restrictions. The summit concluded with multiple economic agreements and the launch of an exceptional strengthened partnership framework.
The French leader emphasized France‘s commitment to fostering trust and cooperation with Morocco, particularly in counterterrorism and regional security. Lecornu underscored the two nations’ shared interests in Africa, where they face growing jihadist threats across the Sahel. He also proposed positioning Morocco as a key EU anchor in North Africa, strengthening its role as a bridge between Europe and the continent.
New security revelations and diplomatic silence
Thursday’s visit unfolded against a backdrop of fresh intelligence reports alleging extensive surveillance activities by Morocco using the Pegasus spyware system. Investigations by major international outlets suggested the software may have targeted high-profile French figures, including Lecornu when he served as Interior Minister. Morocco has consistently denied these claims, dismissing them as baseless fabrications.
Neither French government officials nor the Quai d’Orsay responded to inquiries about the reports. A senior advisor to the French President reiterated the visit’s primary goal: “to reinforce the framework of cooperation and mutual trust with Morocco.”
Historic gestures and future ambitions
King Mohammed VI conveyed his support for the partnership in a message to President Macron, broadcast by Morocco’s official news agency on Bastille Day. The monarch highlighted the consolidation of privileged relations between the two nations, while Lecornu hinted at a potential state visit by the king to France and the signing of an unprecedented friendship treaty—though no dates have been confirmed.
The visit featured a ceremonial tribute at the Royal Mausoleum, where Lecornu, joined by 12 ministers including Foreign Affairs chief Jean-Noël Barrot and Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, paid respects to former kings Mohammed V and Hassan II. The meetings culminated in talks with Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, who stressed the need to accelerate implementation of commitments made in the 2024 partnership.
Analysts note Paris‘s growing prioritization of Rabat over Algiers in its North African diplomacy, particularly on security matters in the Sahel. With Algeria offering limited intelligence cooperation despite renewed ties, France appears increasingly reliant on Morocco as a key regional partner. Over 15 agreements across economic, security, migration, and defense sectors are expected to be finalized, including plans for a new Rabat regional express rail network and potential defense industry collaborations.
Aziz Akhannouch emphasized that both nations are prepared to “take the next steps” to solidify their alliance, signaling a shared vision for the future of bilateral relations.