Accompanied by a dozen ministers, including Foreign Affairs chief Jean-Noël Barrot and Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is set to meet with his Moroccan counterpart, Aziz Akhannouch.
This high-level intergovernmental meeting marks the first of its kind between the two nations since 2019, following a warming of relations that began in mid-2024 when the French President acknowledged Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara—a move that strained ties with Algeria.
Lecornu’s visit to Morocco follows an earlier diplomatic engagement in Qatar, signaling a renewed focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation. The agenda includes multiple discussions and working sessions dedicated to deepening collaboration across various sectors.
security and judicial cooperation take center stage
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez will hold talks with his Moroccan counterpart, Abdelouafi Laftit, to address critical issues such as judicial cooperation. A key topic is the potential extradition of Ismaël Benahmed, a dual Franco-Moroccan national wanted in France for a 2019 murder investigation in Paris.
The visit underscores France’s commitment to reinforcing its strategic partnership with Morocco, with a focus on security, diplomacy, and bilateral projects.
