Morocco, France Reaffirm Strong Partnership at Moroccan-French Parliamentary Forum in Rabat
Rabat, The Gulf Observer: Moroccan Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch on Thursday welcomed President of the French National Assembly Yaël Braun-Pivet and President of the French Senate Gérard Larcher in Rabat, as part of an official visit by a joint French parliamentary delegation.
The French officials are visiting Morocco to participate in the fifth session of the Moroccan-French Parliamentary Forum, being held from January 29 to 30, which aims to strengthen parliamentary dialogue and bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting was attended by several Moroccan ministers, including Minister of Equipment and Water Nizar Baraka, Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, and Government Spokesperson Mustafa Baytas, as well as French Ambassador to Morocco Christophe Lecourtier.
During the talks, both sides highlighted a turning point in bilateral relations in October 2024, when King Mohammed VI and French President Emmanuel Macron signed a declaration establishing a “Strong Exceptional Partnership.” The declaration was accompanied by the launch of investment agreements worth €10 billion in key strategic sectors.
Prime Minister Akhannouch welcomed France’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara and the subsequent visits by French officials to Morocco’s southern provinces. He said the move reflects France’s support for Morocco’s autonomy plan as the only viable solution to the regional dispute, adding that the strengthened partnership opens new opportunities for economic, regional and international cooperation.
France officially recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara in July 2024, following a letter from President Emmanuel Macron to King Mohammed VI stating that “the present and future of Western Sahara lie within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty.” The decision was followed by several official visits to the southern regions, as well as economic forums held in Dakhla and Laayoune to showcase the region’s development potential.
According to a statement from Akhannouch’s office, the Moroccan-French Parliamentary Forum serves as an important platform for dialogue and consultation, enabling parliamentarians from both countries to exchange views, coordinate positions and discuss issues of mutual interest.
Relations between Morocco and France have continued to strengthen in recent years through expanded economic partnerships, high-level exchanges and joint projects in sectors including energy, infrastructure and agriculture.
