The 15th High-Level Meeting (RHN) between Morocco and France is scheduled for this Thursday, July 16, coinciding with the official visit of French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and his ministerial entourage. This significant gathering, a cornerstone of dialogue between the two nations since its inception in 1997, follows the previous edition held in Paris in December 2019.

This latest session is integral to the ongoing efforts to redefine and strengthen Franco-Moroccan relations, a dynamic initiated nearly two years ago. It will provide a crucial platform for members of both governments to engage directly on priorities within their bilateral partnership and to assess the various cooperative initiatives established under the “reinforced exceptional partnership” agreement of October 2024.

The visit will commence with bilateral discussions between the French and Moroccan Prime Ministers. Additionally, members of the French delegation are slated to meet with their Moroccan counterparts to delve into diverse aspects of cooperation.

The plenary session of the RHN stands as the central event, co-chaired by the two heads of government. Each ministerial pair will present the outcomes of their bilateral exchanges and outline common priorities identified for the coming years.

The proceedings will conclude with a summary delivered by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, followed by the formal signing of numerous bilateral agreements spanning various cooperation sectors.

A joint press statement by both Prime Ministers is also anticipated at the close of the discussions, preceding a luncheon hosted by King Mohammed VI and presided over by the head of government.

Fifteen agreements across key sectors

In total, approximately fifteen documents are expected to be signed, targeting sectors deemed crucial for the Franco-Moroccan partnership. These include decentralized cooperation, railway infrastructure – notably the proposed Réseau express régional (RER) line in Rabat – water management, the development of the Casablanca-Settat region, civil aviation, culture, and education.

Within the energy sector, both nations are also poised to advance discussions on identifying projects for a potential electrical interconnection between Morocco and France. This initiative builds upon the strategic partnership for energy cooperation, connectivity, and energy transition, signed during the French President’s state visit to Morocco in October 2024.

Regarding defense, Paris and Rabat plan to intensify their dialogue on armament and the defense industry, aiming to pinpoint new avenues for collaboration.

The cultural sphere also features prominently in the discussions, with plans for launching artistic residency programs, enhancing exchanges in cinema, audiovisual production, and video games, as well as forging a strategic partnership between the Institut du monde arabe and the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication.

French delegation includes 13 officials

The French delegation will be led by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, accompanied by twelve government members. Key figures include Laurent Nunez, Minister of the Interior; Catherine Vautrin, Minister of Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs; Roland Lescure, Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industrial, Energy, and Digital Sovereignty; Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs; Catherine Pégard, Minister of Culture; Philippe Tabarot, Minister of Transport; and Anne Le Hénanff, Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs.

Senator Christian Cambon, President of the France-Morocco Friendship Group in the Senate, and Deputy Karim Ben Cheikh will also participate in the visit. They are scheduled to meet with the presidents of both Chambers of the Moroccan Parliament.

On the sidelines of the RHN, the French delegation will visit the Mausoleum Mohammed V for a moment of remembrance and to lay a wreath in homage to the founding monarchs of contemporary Morocco.

The 15th high-level meeting is strategically positioned between two state visits: that of French President Emmanuel Macron to Rabat in October 2024 and the planned visit of King Mohammed VI to France. It is expected to significantly contribute to preparing the next stages of the Franco-Moroccan partnership, particularly the groundwork for a future bilateral treaty.