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Morocco and France have convened a high-level ministerial meeting in Rabat, signaling a significant strengthening of their bilateral relationship. The meeting, which opened Thursday, precedes an expected state visit by King Mohammed VI to Paris. Relations between the two nations have seen a marked improvement since French President Emmanuel Macron officially recognized Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara in the summer of 2024. This shift followed a period of strained ties, with Macron receiving a notably warm reception during an official visit to Rabat in October 2024, effectively ending three years of diplomatic difficulties.

Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch held talks with his French counterpart, Sébastien Lecornu, who arrived with a delegation of 12 ministers. Akhannouch described the current partnership as "exceptional," noting that it has opened a "new chapter" built on strong political alignment, renewed economic activity, and a shared commitment to future collaboration. He further stated that the enhanced partnership is rooted not only in strategic and economic dimensions but also in the "richness of the human ties between our societies," citing contributions from students, researchers, entrepreneurs, artists, and the diaspora.

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the exceptional partnership between Morocco and France, established during President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to the Kingdom in October 2024, has opened a new chapter in relations between our two countries. It has laid the foundation for an ambitious future built on strong political convergence, renewed economic momentum, and a shared determination to prepare for and build the future together.

King Mohammed VI's upcoming state visit to France is expected to culminate in the signing of a Morocco-France Treaty. This potential agreement, announced by the foreign ministers in May, could lead to a "unique friendship treaty" that extends beyond the existing "enhanced exceptional partnership" framework established in 2024. Lecornu emphasized France's desire to deepen ties, especially in security and counterterrorism, highlighting the "shared interests" the two countries hold across the African continent. The substantial ministerial delegation accompanying Lecornu underscores France's commitment to achieving a "qualitative leap" in bilateral relations, benefiting both nations and potentially influencing broader European Union interests and shared objectives in Africa.

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The significance of our presence here today, accompanied by such a large ministerial delegation, is our desire to achieve a qualitative leap in our bilateral relationship - a transformation that will benefit both our countries and others as well. This also applies to our relationship with the European Union and to our shared and aligned interests across the African continent.