Morocco and France deepen strategic ties with new high-level agreements

The fifteenth Morocco-France High-Level Meeting marks a pivotal moment in bilateral cooperation, emphasizing shared territorial integrity commitments and a renewed focus on African development.

Political and strategic alignment
The human dimension: core of Morocco-France cooperation
Scaling up Morocco-France bilateral relations
New agreements signed

Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch emphasized that the fifteenth Morocco-France High-Level Meeting arrives at a critical juncture in the bilateral partnership initiated in October 2024. This session provides an opportunity to evaluate progress and accelerate the implementation of commitments under the enhanced exceptional partnership framework.

The meeting represents a significant step toward advancing the vision outlined by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, which prioritizes ambitious, balanced cooperation that creates future opportunities for both nations.

Prime Minister Akhannouch acknowledged French President Emmanuel Macron’s commitment to injecting fresh dynamism into Morocco-France relations. This renewed energy strengthens the exceptional partnership between the two nations, aligning with the strategic vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.

Political and strategic alignment

In a global environment marked by multiple crises and uncertainties, Morocco and France share a common commitment to stability and cooperation. Their political and strategic dialogue has deepened, particularly on key regional and international issues, built on trust, shared responsibility, and mutual respect.

« This alignment is particularly evident in the Mediterranean, African, and Atlantic regions, » stated Mr. Akhannouch. « The French stance in support of Morocco’s territorial integrity and the Moroccan nature of the Sahara has fostered a climate of reinforced trust between our nations. »

« Since President Macron’s last state visit, economic momentum has accelerated structured projects across industry, decarbonization, infrastructure, renewable energy, logistics, innovation, and productive investment, » the Moroccan Prime Minister noted.

Mr. Akhannouch highlighted the strength and quality of Morocco-France cooperation, driven by the emergence of new value chains that position banking services as a cornerstone of bilateral economic relations.

The Moroccan government head also underscored the shared determination to drive technological transformation, with particular emphasis on artificial intelligence, digitalization, applied research, and other strategic sectors designed to enhance the competitiveness of both economies.

The human dimension: core of Morocco-France cooperation

This exceptional partnership transcends economic and strategic domains, anchored in a shared conviction: the richness of human ties between our societies. The human dimension—encompassing academics, researchers, entrepreneurs, artists, creators, and the diaspora—plays a pivotal role in bringing our peoples closer together and strengthening cultural exchanges, Mr. Akhannouch emphasized.

Regarding human capital, Mr. Akhannouch affirmed that both nations are advancing efforts in higher education, scientific research, vocational training, innovation, and talent mobility.

Both countries also prioritize cultural cooperation, intercultural dialogue, heritage promotion, and human exchanges—essential foundations for building a living and enduring relationship.

In this context, Morocco and France have reaffirmed their ambition to elevate bilateral relations to new heights by launching a fresh phase of strategic partnership. This initiative draws inspiration from King Mohammed VI’s vision and President Macron’s commitment to consolidating cooperation tailored to 21st-century challenges.

Both governments expressed their determination to translate political commitments into concrete results, aiming to build a more effective, innovative partnership capable of addressing shared challenges in economic, technological, geopolitical, and human domains.

Scaling up Morocco-France bilateral relations

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu described the Morocco-France High-Level Meeting as a turning point in bilateral relations, marking the implementation of commitments made during President Macron’s historic state visit to Rabat in October 2024.

The primary commitment, he noted, was to elevate the Morocco-France partnership by establishing privileged inter-ministerial, political, diplomatic, economic, and cultural links to create a specific governance framework between the two nations.

« France and Morocco aim to consolidate a strategic partnership that, beyond strengthening their privileged relationship with the European Union, will serve as a bridge for renewed cooperation based on convergent interests and oriented toward Africa’s development and stability. » Mr. Lecornu explained, reaffirming France’s support for the autonomy plan as a definitive solution to the Sahara conflict.

Within this framework, Morocco and France reaffirmed that security will remain a pillar of their strategic partnership alongside major demographic and environmental challenges facing the continent.

Both nations will strengthen coordination in combating terrorism and transnational threats, convinced that regional stability requires increasingly close diplomatic and security action, according to the French Prime Minister.

Indeed, both governments agreed on the necessity of taking their bilateral relations to the next level by opening the door to a new dynamic aimed at projecting Morocco-France cooperation beyond bilateral frameworks and making it an instrument for Africa’s development, stability, and integration.

Mr. Lecornu concluded by emphasizing that this High-Level Meeting marks a new phase in deepening the Franco-Moroccan partnership. This momentum, he added, will prepare for His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s upcoming state visit to France—a pivotal moment for Morocco-France relations that could culminate in the signing of an exceptional friendship treaty to consolidate an unprecedented strategic partnership between the two countries.

New agreements signed

Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Abroad Nasser Bourita and French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot signed a letter of intent on feminist foreign policy. This agreement aims to strengthen feminist diplomacy at both ministerial and international levels.

Moroccan Minister of Economy and Finance Nadia Fettah and French Minister of Economy, Finance, Industrial Sovereignty, Energy, and Digitalization Roland Lescure signed a memorandum of understanding confirming financing for the high-speed rail program between Kenitra and Marrakech.

A joint declaration was also signed to complement the memorandum on water partnership, formalized by Ms. Fettah, Mr. Barrot, and Catherine Bonnaud, Director of the French Development Agency (AFD) in Morocco. This agreement builds on commitments made in the October 28, 2024, memorandum supporting Morocco’s national water policy.

Additionally, Moroccan Minister of National Education, Preschool, and Sports Mohamed Berrada and French Minister Delegate for La Francophonie and International Associations Eléonore Caroit signed a declaration of intent on teaching Arabic and geography in French schools in Morocco. This initiative aims to promote bilingual competence among students.

Moroccan Minister of Transport and Logistics Abdessamad Kayouh and his French counterpart Philippe Tabarot signed a three-year action plan (2026–2028) to implement technical cooperation in civil aviation.

Mr. Kayouh also signed an agreement with François Lambert, Director of the French National Maritime School (ENSM), to establish a partnership between ENSM and Morocco’s Higher Institute of Maritime Studies (ISEM), aimed at strengthening scientific and pedagogical exchanges.

Meanwhile, Moroccan Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour and Christelle Geneste Defaye, representative of La Poste Group’s Director General, signed a cooperation agreement to adapt postal services to new challenges and enhance collaboration between the two operators.

In the cultural sphere, Moroccan Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid and his French counterpart Catherine Pegard signed a declaration of intent on cooperation in cinema and moving images across Africa, as well as a declaration on artistic exchanges.

Mr. Bensaid also signed a strategic partnership agreement with Anne-Claire Legendre, President of the Arab World Institute, to establish a general framework for cooperation in cultural, intellectual, and civic initiatives.

The Director General of Morocco’s Public Laboratory for Testing and Studies (LPEE), Hammou Bensaadout, and the Director General of France’s Center for Studies and Expertise on Risks, Environment, Mobility, and Development (CEREMA), signed a framework cooperation agreement covering soil engineering and expertise in port, hydraulic, and maritime infrastructure.

Finally, Abdelaziz El Hraiki, Director of Morocco’s Agronomic and Veterinary Institute (IAV) Hassan II, and Jean-Paul Laclau, Deputy Director General for Research and Strategy at France’s International Center for Agricultural Research for Development (CIRAD), signed a framework agreement on scientific cooperation covering agriculture, veterinary medicine, fisheries, and aquaculture.