France’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, embarked on his first official international visits this week, marking a significant step in his tenure at Matignon.
His diplomatic itinerary began in Doha, where he arrived on Tuesday to convey France’s official condolences following the passing of Qatar’s former Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The visit was conducted alongside former Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, underscoring the deep ties between Paris and Doha.
The French presidency emphasized the symbolic importance of this mission, stating that President Emmanuel Macron personally tasked Lecornu with representing France “as a testament to the enduring friendship between our two nations.” The late Emir, who ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013 before abdicating in favor of his fourth son, was remembered for spearheading the country’s historic modernization and pioneering diplomatic initiatives.
Strengthening ties in Rabat
After concluding his engagements in Qatar, Prime Minister Lecornu continued his journey to Rabat, where he arrived Wednesday evening for a two-day visit. Accompanied by a delegation of key ministers—including Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez—he is scheduled to hold high-level talks with Moroccan officials.
Among the highlights of this visit is a crucial meeting with Morocco’s Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, the first such encounter between the two governments since 2019. The discussions aim to reinforce bilateral relations, which have seen a notable thaw since President Macron’s landmark decision in mid-2024 to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara—a move that strained relations with Algeria.
This diplomatic rapprochement reached its peak in October 2024, when President Macron undertook a three-day state visit to Morocco, effectively ending a three-year period of strained ties marked by espionage allegations and visa restrictions. The visit culminated in the signing of multiple economic agreements, setting the stage for what could become an even more significant milestone: a state visit by King Mohammed VI to France, potentially accompanied by the signing of a landmark treaty to formalize a “special partnership” between the two nations.
