Morocco France defence ties strengthened during Rabat talks

The Moroccan delegation, led by Abdeltif Loudyi, Minister delegate to the Head of Government in charge of National Defence Administration, welcomed Catherine Vautrin, France’s Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs, in Rabat on Thursday. The meeting followed a directive from His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Supreme Commander and Chief of Staff of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), and took place in the presence of a high-ranking military official.

The French minister arrived as part of a high-profile delegation accompanying French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, who is conducting a working visit to Morocco. Their visit coincides with the 15th Morocco-France High-Level Meeting, aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors.

During the talks, both sides signed a technical arrangement and a memorandum of understanding focusing on defence industry collaboration, as confirmed by the National Defence Administration. Discussions also covered bilateral and regional issues, with a focus on identifying new avenues to strengthen and diversify military cooperation between the two nations.

The shared vision underscores a commitment to solidify these ties by implementing the legal instruments agreed upon during the 15th High-Level Meeting. The gathering was co-chaired by Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch and his French counterpart, Sébastien Lecornu, and saw the signing of eleven cooperation agreements spanning key areas such as the development of Rabat’s Regional Express Railway network, water resources management, and decentralization initiatives.

This year’s High-Level Meeting unfolds against a backdrop of exceptional partnership and growing political alignment between Morocco and France. A defining moment in the bilateral relationship was marked by France’s official endorsement of Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces, including the Sahara region—a historic shift in France’s stance.