The significance of the moment was unmistakable. Sébastien Lecornu, France’s newly appointed Prime Minister, chose Morocco for his first official foreign visit following his appointment—a deliberate diplomatic choice made on July 15-16, 2026. The timing and destination sent a clear message: Paris is prioritizing a renewal of its partnership with Rabat after years of strained relations.
In the Moroccan capital, Lecornu co-chaired the 15th High-Level Meeting (RHN) with Morocco’s Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch. This bilateral summit marked the first of its kind between the two nations since 2019, following a prolonged pause in institutional dialogue that had cast a shadow over bilateral cooperation.
France sends a high-powered ministerial delegation to Rabat
The French delegation accompanying Lecornu was anything but modest. Twelve French ministers traveled to Rabat, including key figures such as Laurent Nuñez, Minister of the Interior, and Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs. The size and composition of the delegation underscored the strategic importance Paris places on this diplomatic reset with Morocco.
On social media, Lecornu himself highlighted the historic nature of the visit, calling it a pivotal moment in France-Morocco relations and acknowledging the warm reception he received from Morocco’s Prime Minister.
An unprecedented friendship treaty in the making
Beyond symbolic gestures, the visit produced concrete results. Several cooperation agreements were signed between the two countries, though their specific contents remain undisclosed for now. The most significant announcement, however, was Lecornu’s confirmation of plans to finalize an unprecedented friendship treaty between France and Morocco.
This landmark agreement is expected to be formally signed during an upcoming state visit by King Mohammed VI to France—a trip currently under discussion. No official date has been set for the monarch’s arrival in Paris.
Royal hospitality and diplomatic protocol
King Mohammed VI extended a gesture of exceptional hospitality by hosting an official lunch for the French delegation in Rabat on July 16. The visit also included a solemn moment of remembrance: Lecornu and his delegation laid wreaths at the royal mausoleum, paying tribute to the resting places of Morocco’s revered former monarchs, Mohammed V and Hassan II—an established protocol for heads of state visiting the kingdom.
Reflecting on the visit, Lecornu described it as “a turning point in relations between Rabat and Paris.”
Diplomatic thaw: a process underway since 2024
For an observer in France, this visit is part of a broader thaw in bilateral relations that began in 2024, after years of tension—particularly over the Western Sahara issue and consular matters. The trip by Lecornu represents a further step in consolidating this rapprochement, building on the initial easing of tensions.
Morocco remains one of France’s most vital economic and diplomatic partners in Africa, reinforced by a large Franco-Moroccan community in both countries. The resumption of the High-Level Meeting, after a multi-year hiatus, served as a litmus test for the durability of the renewed relationship.
The next milestone on the horizon is the long-anticipated state visit of King Mohammed VI to France—a trip discussed by both capitals, though its timing has yet to be confirmed.
