France has elevated Morocco to the top of its diplomatic agenda in the Maghreb, signaling a shift away from its traditional balancing act in the region. This strategic pivot comes ahead of a landmark two-day visit by French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, marking his first international trip since assuming office.
During his visit on July 15 and 16, Lecornu met with Morocco’s Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, accompanied by a high-powered delegation including Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez. The agenda featured a bilateral meeting, a joint press conference, and a ceremonial wreath-laying at the Mohammed V Mausoleum. These discussions culminated in an official lunch, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation.
In remarks to the Senate, Lecornu praised the robust police and judicial cooperation with Morocco, calling it a cornerstone of the strong ties between the two nations. He also highlighted the growing engagement of Moroccan lawmakers in French parliamentary diplomacy, noting the presence of a Moroccan delegation led by Mohamed Zidouh, president of the Morocco-France Friendship Group in the Moroccan Parliament.
The delegation engaged with French and European parliamentarians, including François-Xavier Bellamy, Vice-President of the European People’s Party, Pierre Jouvet, Vice-President of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, and Fabienne Keller, a European Parliament Quaestor. Bellamy underscored the depth of Morocco-France friendship and cooperation, hailing the Kingdom as a model of openness, dynamism, and progress. He emphasized the comprehensive development initiatives Morocco has undertaken, urging the European Union to recognize the Kingdom’s reliability and adherence to international commitments.
Territorial integrity remained a key topic, with Bellamy reiterating France’s stance on the Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara, framed within the principles of international law. Jouvet, meanwhile, described Morocco as an essential geopolitical partner for both France and Europe, stressing the need to strengthen bilateral ties and preserve existing achievements.
