French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu arrived in Morocco this Thursday, July 16, leading a significant government delegation comprising twelve ministers. The agenda for this official visit is packed, featuring the 15th Franco-Moroccan High-Level Meeting, extensive bilateral discussions, and the anticipated signing of approximately fifteen cooperation agreements.
The 15th High-Level Meeting (RHN) between Morocco and France is taking place this Thursday, July 16, during the official visit of French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and his government delegation. This significant gathering, which has served as a primary platform for dialogue between the two nations since its inception in 1997, follows the previous edition held in Paris in December 2019.
This latest session is part of the ongoing momentum to redefine and strengthen Franco-Moroccan relations, a process initiated nearly two years ago. It offers an invaluable opportunity for members of both governments to engage in direct discussions on the priorities of their bilateral partnership and to assess the progress of various cooperation initiatives established under the “reinforced exceptional partnership” agreement signed in October 2024.
The visit commenced with bilateral talks between the French and Moroccan Prime Ministers. Additionally, members of the French delegation are scheduled to meet with their Moroccan counterparts to delve into specific areas of cooperation.
The plenary session of the RHN stands as a central event of this diplomatic sequence, co-chaired by both heads of government. During this session, each ministerial pair will present the outcomes of their bilateral exchanges and outline the shared priorities identified for the coming years.
The proceedings will conclude with a summary delivered by the foreign ministers, followed by the formal signing of several bilateral agreements spanning diverse cooperation sectors.
A joint press statement by the two Prime Ministers is also anticipated at the conclusion of the working sessions, preceding a luncheon hosted by King Mohammed VI and presided over by the head of the Moroccan government.
Fifteen agreements across multiple sectors
In total, approximately fifteen agreements are expected to be signed, targeting sectors deemed crucial for the Franco-Moroccan partnership. These include decentralized cooperation, railway infrastructure, notably with plans for a Regional Express Network (RER) line in Rabat, water management, the development of the Casablanca-Settat region, civil aviation, culture, and education.
In the energy domain, both countries are set to progress on identifying projects for a potential electricity interconnection between Morocco and France. This initiative builds upon the strategic partnership for energy cooperation, connectivity, and energy transition, which was established during the French President’s state visit to Morocco in October 2024.
Regarding defense, Paris and Rabat intend to intensify their dialogue on armament and the defense industry to uncover new avenues for collaboration.
The cultural sector is also a key focus, with plans including the launch of artistic residency programs, enhanced exchanges in cinema, audiovisual production, and video games, as well as a strategic partnership between the Institut du monde arabe and the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication.
A French delegation of thirteen officials
The French delegation is led by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, accompanied by twelve government ministers. This includes Laurent Nunez, Minister of Interior; Catherine Vautrin, Minister of Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs; Roland Lescure, Minister of Economy, Finance, Industrial, Energy and Digital Sovereignty; Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs; Catherine Pégard, Minister of Culture; Philippe Tabarot, Minister of Transport; and Anne Le Hénanff, Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs.
Senator Christian Cambon, who chairs the France-Morocco friendship group in the Senate, and Deputy Karim Ben Cheikh are also participating in the trip. They are scheduled to meet with the presidents of both chambers of the Moroccan Parliament.
On the sidelines of the RHN, the French delegation will visit the Mausoleum Mohammed V for a moment of reflection and to lay a wreath in tribute to the founding monarchs of contemporary Morocco.
This 15th high-level meeting is strategically timed between two state visits: that of French President Emmanuel Macron to Rabat in October 2024 and the upcoming visit of King Mohammed VI to France. It is expected to significantly contribute to preparing the next stages of the Franco-Moroccan partnership, particularly the work related to developing a future bilateral treaty.
