French diplomacy has recently made the Kingdom of Morocco its top priority in the Maghreb, marking a clear shift in regional strategy. This reorientation comes ahead of a two-day official visit by French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu on July 15 and 16, his first international trip since assuming office.
During the visit, Lecornu, accompanied by a delegation of over a dozen ministers including Foreign Affairs head Jean-Noël Barrot and Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, held bilateral talks with Moroccan counterpart Aziz Akhannouch. The meeting culminated in a joint press conference, followed by an official lunch and a high-level meeting at the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A solemn moment was also observed with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Mohammed V Mausoleum, honoring the late monarch. In parallel, Lecornu highlighted the strong ties between the two nations, particularly in security cooperation. Speaking before the Senate, he praised the «exceptional level of police and judicial collaboration with Morocco», emphasizing the depth of the bilateral relationship.
Parliamentary diplomacy reinforces bilateral relations
The visit also underscored the growing role of parliamentary diplomacy. A delegation of Moroccan lawmakers, led by Mohamed Zidouh, President of the Morocco-France Friendship Group in the Chamber of Advisors, met with French parliamentarians including François-Xavier Bellamy, Vice-President of the European People’s Party Group, Pierre Jouvet, Vice-President of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, and Fabienne Keller, Quaestor of the European Parliament.
Bellamy described the Kingdom of Morocco as a model of openness and development, stressing the country’s «comprehensive development process» and calling for greater recognition from the European Union of Morocco’s commitment. He reaffirmed France’s position on the Sahara issue, stating that Paris recognizes the Moroccan sovereignty over the territory in accordance with international law.
Pierre Jouvet went further, calling Morocco an «indispensable geopolitical partner for both France and Europe», urging for deeper integration and the preservation of existing bilateral achievements.
