The fifteenth Morocco-France high-level meeting marks a pivotal moment in bilateral relations, as both nations reaffirm their commitment to a partnership built on mutual interests and shared territorial integrity. With France’s unwavering support for Morocco’s autonomy initiative to resolve the Sahara conflict, this gathering sets the stage for enhanced cooperation in Africa’s development.

Aziz Akhannouch, Morocco’s Prime Minister, emphasized the significance of this meeting, stating: “The fifteenth high-level Morocco-France meeting arrives at a decisive juncture in the journey undertaken by both countries since October 2024. It provides an opportunity to assess progress and accelerate the implementation of commitments made under the enhanced exceptional partnership between our nations.”

This session paves the way for critical, structural milestones in the implementation of the directives set by King Mohammed VI, which underscore Morocco’s dedication to fostering ambitious, balanced cooperation that unlocks future opportunities for both partners.

Mr. Akhannouch praised the commitment of French President Emmanuel Macron in injecting fresh dynamism into Morocco-France relations, solidifying an exceptional partnership between the Alaouite Kingdom and the French Republic.

Political and strategic alignment

In a world grappling with multiplying crises and uncertainties, Morocco and France not only share a common goal of stability and cooperation but have also deepened their political and strategic dialogue on key regional and international issues. This alignment is rooted in trust, shared responsibility, and mutual respect.

“This convergence resonates strongly across the Mediterranean, African, and Atlantic regions, particularly following France’s stance in support of Morocco’s territorial integrity and the Moroccan nature of the Sahara,” Mr. Akhannouch noted. “This has fostered an environment of reinforced trust.”

“Since the last state visit by President Macron, the economic momentum has accelerated the implementation of structuring projects in industries, decarbonization, infrastructure, renewable energy, logistics, innovation, and productive investment,” the Moroccan Prime Minister added.

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

The Moroccan head of government also underscored the shared ambition to drive major technological transformations, focusing on artificial intelligence, digitalization, applied research, and other strategic sectors poised to enhance the competitiveness of both economies.

The human dimension: a pillar of Morocco-France partnership

This strengthened partnership transcends strategic and economic realms, anchored in a shared belief: the richness of human ties between the two societies. The human dimension, encompassing academics, researchers, entrepreneurs, artists, creators, and the diaspora, plays a vital role in bringing the two peoples closer together and strengthening their cultural exchanges.

Regarding human capital, Mr. Akhannouch affirmed that both countries continue their efforts to advance higher education, scientific research, vocational training, innovation, and talent mobility.

Both nations also prioritize cultural cooperation, promoting intercultural dialogue, preserving shared heritage, and strengthening human exchanges—key elements that form the living, enduring foundation of their relationship.

In this context, Morocco and France have reaffirmed their ambition to propel their bilateral relations into the future, launching a new phase in their strategic partnership. This momentum draws inspiration from King Mohammed VI’s vision and the French president’s commitment to consolidating cooperation tailored to 21st-century challenges.

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

A new scale for bilateral relations

Sébastien Lecornu, France’s Prime Minister, stated: “This high-level Morocco-France meeting marks a turning point in bilateral relations, implementing commitments made during the historic state visit of the French president to Rabat in October 2024.”

The primary commitment, he noted, was to elevate the partnership between Morocco and France, creating privileged interministerial, political, diplomatic, economic, and cultural links to establish a specific governance framework between the two nations.

“France and Morocco aspire to consolidate a strategic partnership that, beyond strengthening their privileged relationship with the European Union, will serve as a bridge to renewed cooperation. This partnership is grounded in converging interests and oriented toward the development and stability of the African continent,” Mr. Lecornu explained. He also reaffirmed France’s support for the autonomy plan aimed at providing a definitive solution to the Sahara conflict.

In this framework, Morocco and France reaffirmed that security remains a cornerstone of their strategic partnership, alongside major demographic and environmental challenges facing the continent.

Both countries will enhance coordination in combating terrorism and transnational threats, convinced that regional stability demands increasingly robust diplomatic and security action.

The two governments agreed on the need to elevate their bilateral relations to a higher level, paving the way for a dynamic that projects Morocco-France cooperation beyond bilateral frameworks and positions it as 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 Morocco-France partnership. “This momentum,” he added, “will prepare for the upcoming state visit of King Mohammed VI to France, a pivotal moment in Morocco-France relations that could culminate in the signing of an exceptional friendship treaty. This treaty aims to solidify an unprecedented strategic partnership between the two countries.”

Agreements signed

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

Nadia Fettah, Morocco’s Minister of Economy and Finance, and Roland Lescure, France’s Minister of Economy, Finance, Industrial Sovereignty, Energy, and Digital Affairs, signed a memorandum of understanding confirming financing for the high-speed rail program between Kenitra and Marrakech.

A joint declaration was also signed, complementing the memorandum of understanding on water partnership. This agreement was initialed by Ms. Fettah, Mr. Barrot, and Catherine Bonnaud, Director of the French Development Agency (AFD) in Morocco. The accord further details commitments made in the October 28, 2024, memorandum on supporting Morocco’s national water policy.

Mohamed Berrada, Morocco’s Minister of National Education, Preschool, and Sports, and Eléonore Caroit, France’s Minister Delegate for Francophony and International Associations, signed a declaration of intent regarding the teaching of Arabic and geography in French schools in Morocco. The goal is to promote bilingual competence among students.

Abdessamad Kayouh, Morocco’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, and Philippe Tabarot, his French counterpart, 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 France’s National Superior Maritime School (ENSM), establishing a partnership between ENSM and Morocco’s Superior Institute of Maritime Studies (ISEM). This initiative aims to consolidate scientific and pedagogical exchanges between the two institutions.

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

In the cultural sphere, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, Morocco’s Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, and Catherine Pegard, his French counterpart, signed a declaration of intent on cooperation in cinema and moving images across Africa, as well as another 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 between the two parties. This agreement focuses on developing 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 various fields, including 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 Cooperation Center for Agronomic Research for Development (CIRAD), signed a framework agreement for scientific cooperation in agriculture, veterinary medicine, and fisheries and aquaculture sciences.