France and Morocco strengthen ties with historic partnership in Rabat

France and Morocco have reaffirmed their “restored confidence” in bilateral relations during a landmark visit by French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to Rabat on July 16, 2026. This diplomatic thaw follows President Emmanuel Macron‘s historic 2024 recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, a move that drew sharp criticism from Algiers.

Lecornu hailed the results of the visit as “exceptionally positive,” marking a significant turnaround after years of strained ties. Tensions had peaked over alleged espionage activities and visa restrictions imposed by Paris, which cut Moroccan entry permits by half between 2021 and 2022. The normalization process accelerated when Macron received King Mohammed VI in Rabat last October, culminating in the signing of an “exceptional enhanced partnership” and multiple economic agreements.

However, the visit occurred against the backdrop of fresh allegations regarding Morocco’s use of the Pegasus surveillance software, with international media outlets publishing investigations into its alleged deployment. Moroccan authorities swiftly dismissed the claims as “false and baseless.”

The press conference, initially planned as a full session with Q&A, was reduced to a brief statement without audience questions—sparking speculation about lingering sensitivities. French officials and the entourage of Lecornu declined to comment on the Pegasus controversy, with one source describing it as “old news.”

Unprecedented framework agreement

Following the 15th High-Level Dialogue—its first since 2019—Lecornu described the meeting as a “watershed moment” aimed at elevating bilateral cooperation to new heights. Key priorities include enhanced security collaboration, counterterrorism efforts, and circular migration facilitation for entrepreneurs and students. “We are working to strengthen our framework of cooperation and mutual trust,” a spokesperson for the French presidency stated.

The visit also paved the way for a potential state visit by King Mohammed VI to France and the signing of a groundbreaking treaty—the first such agreement France would conclude outside the European Union. While no date has been set, Lecornu emphasized the historic nature of this partnership, which reflects a shared strategic vision and mutual political commitment.

The French delegation included twelve ministers, among them Jean-Noël Barrot (Foreign Affairs) and Laurent Nuñez (Interior), who engaged in high-level discussions with their Moroccan counterparts, including Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita.

Shared ambitions in Africa

Lecornu highlighted the “central importance” of Africa, particularly the Sahel region, where both nations face jihadist threats. “Our joint deployment in Africa must intensify,” he stressed, pointing to recent operational successes in combating organized crime and drug trafficking, enabled by close intelligence cooperation.

Aziz Akhannouch, Morocco’s Prime Minister, welcomed the partnership as a “strategic vision” built on renewed trust and shared ambition. The visit underscored France’s strategic pivot toward Rabat, signaling a departure from its previous balancing act with Algiers.

Among the twelve agreements signed was a call for tenders to interconnect the two countries’ electricity grids, alongside financing conventions with the French Development Agency for water projects and Rabat’s new regional express rail line (RER).

In a message marking France’s Bastille Day, King Mohammed VI praised the “consolidation” of privileged ties between the two nations. The visit signals a new chapter in France-Morocco relations, with both sides expressing optimism about the future of their alliance.