High-level diplomatic exchanges between France and Morocco have reached a new milestone with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s official visit to Rabat this week. The visit underscores a clear thaw in relations that had been strained for years, culminating in an agreement to explore a historic friendship treaty between the two nations.
From tension to partnership
Relations between Paris and Rabat had been tense since 2021, marked by visa disputes and allegations of electronic surveillance using the Pegasus spyware. However, a strategic shift occurred in summer 2024 when France officially recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara—a move that drew sharp criticism from Algiers but paved the way for reconciliation.
President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Morocco in October 2024 marked a turning point, ending three years of diplomatic friction. The visit resulted in numerous trade agreements and the establishment of an
