The 15th High-Level Morocco-France Meeting (RHN) kicks off today, bringing together top officials from both nations to strengthen bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu will lead a high-profile delegation of 13 ministers for this pivotal event in Rabat.

Bilateral agenda takes center stage

This landmark meeting marks the first RHN session since December 2019, reflecting the momentum in Franco-Moroccan relations following the establishment of an enhanced strategic partnership in October 2024. The two-day program will begin with bilateral talks between Prime Minister Lecornu and his Moroccan counterpart, followed by sector-specific working groups.

The plenary session will see both Prime Ministers preside over discussions covering the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation. Key highlights include:

• Review of progress on existing joint initiatives
• Identification of new priority areas for 2026-2028
• Finalization of strategic agreements
• Press conference by both Prime Ministers
• Working lunch hosted by His Majesty King Mohammed VI

Fifteen strategic agreements on the horizon

The RHN will culminate in the signing of approximately fifteen cooperation agreements spanning critical sectors:

• Transportation: Launch of a new regional express railway (RER) project in Rabat
• Infrastructure: Development initiatives for the Casablanca-Settat region
• Energy: Exploration of potential electricity interconnection between Morocco and France
• Defense: Strengthening armament and defense industry cooperation
• Culture: New artistic residency programs, film and audiovisual exchange initiatives
• Education: Partnership between the Arab World Institute and Morocco’s Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication
• Decentralized cooperation: Enhanced local government partnerships

The energy cooperation talks will build on the strategic partnership established during President Macron’s state visit in October 2024, focusing on clean energy transition and connectivity.

Diverse French delegation represents key ministries

Prime Minister Lecornu will be accompanied by ministers covering France’s most vital sectors:

• Defense: Catherine Vautrin, Minister of Armed Forces
• Economy: Roland Lescure, Minister of Economy, Finance and Industrial Sovereignty
• Foreign Affairs: Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs
• Interior: Laurent Nunez, Minister of Interior
• Culture: Catherine Pégard, Minister of Culture
• Transport: Philippe Tabarot, Minister of Transport
• Digital: Anne Le Hénanff, Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence and Digital
• Parliamentary representatives: Senator Christian Cambon and Deputy Karim Ben Cheikh

The delegation will also pay respects at the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, honoring the architects of modern Morocco.

Building toward future cooperation frameworks

This RHN meeting comes between two significant state visits – President Macron’s October 2024 trip to Rabat and the upcoming return visit by His Majesty King Mohammed VI to France. The discussions will lay the groundwork for a future bilateral treaty, solidifying the enhanced strategic partnership framework.