Morocco and France are preparing to sign what officials described as an unprecedented strategic treaty during an anticipated visit by King Mohammed VI to France, marking a new phase in bilateral relations following years of diplomatic tensions.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Rabat on Wednesday alongside French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said the expected royal visit would culminate in the signing of a new contractual framework carrying exceptional political and legal significance for both countries.
Bourita described the forthcoming agreement as a major turning point in Moroccan-French relations, noting that it would be the first treaty of its kind signed by France with a non-European country, while also representing Morocco’s first strategic agreement of this level with a European state.
According to Bourita, the planned treaty reflects the rapid improvement in ties between Rabat and Paris after a period of strained relations in recent years. He linked the current momentum to French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Morocco in 2024, which he said helped redefine bilateral relations and opened the door to deeper political coordination and strategic cooperation on regional and international issues.
On the issue of the Sahara, Barrot reiterated France’s support for Morocco’s autonomy proposal, stressing that the matter carries not only sovereign importance for the Kingdom but also strategic significance for France and regional stability.
The French minister said Paris’ position remains consistent with the message previously conveyed by President Macron to King Mohammed VI, affirming that the future of the southern provinces lies within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty.
Barrot added that France considers Morocco’s autonomy initiative the only credible basis capable of achieving a lasting and mutually agreed political solution under United Nations supervision.
