The Prime Minister of France, Sébastien Lecornu, arrived in Morocco today, leading a high-profile delegation of over a dozen ministers, including Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez.
Strengthening diplomatic and economic cooperation
This marks the first high-level intergovernmental meeting between the two nations since 2019, signaling a renewed commitment to deepen bilateral ties. Following a productive stop in Qatar, Lecornu’s visit underscores France’s strategic engagement in the region. The agenda includes multiple discussions and working sessions aimed at enhancing economic, political, and security cooperation.
A significant shift in Franco-Moroccan relations
The diplomatic climate between France and Morocco has improved markedly since mid-2024. This positive turn followed a pivotal decision by French leadership recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara, a move that had previously strained relations with Algeria.
Security and judicial collaboration take center stage
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez will hold bilateral talks with his Moroccan counterpart, Abdelouafi Laftit, focusing on judicial cooperation and cross-border security. A key topic of discussion will be the potential extradition of Ismaël Benahmed, a Franco-Moroccan national sought in connection with a 2019 murder investigation in Paris.
