France and Morocco have signed 14 cooperation agreements covering key sectors including the economy, security, migration, infrastructure, water management and scientific research, as the two countries continue efforts to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties. The agreements were signed on Thursday during French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s two-day visit to Rabat, where he co-chaired the 15th Morocco-France High-Level Meeting with Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch. The new accords include financing from the French Development Agency (AFD) for the Rabat Regional Express Rail project and a loan agreement to support Morocco’s water policy and resource management. The two governments also signed a draft framework agreement aimed at expanding scientific and research cooperation.
Speaking after the meeting, Lecornu said France’s visa policy is intended to facilitate travel for people who contribute to the long-standing relationship between the two countries, including business leaders, students, researchers and entrepreneurs. The visit reflects improving relations between Paris and Rabat after several years of diplomatic tensions. Bilateral ties began to recover in 2024 when France formally recognized Morocco’s autonomy plan and sovereignty claim over the disputed Western Sahara, a move welcomed by Rabat but opposed by Algeria and the Polisario Front.
France is seeking to strengthen its economic presence in Morocco through increased investment and commercial cooperation, while Morocco views the renewed partnership as an opportunity to attract technology, infrastructure financing and foreign investment to support its development agenda. The latest agreements underscore both countries’ commitment to expanding cooperation on regional security, migration management and economic growth amid evolving geopolitical and economic challenges.
