French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu praised security cooperation with Morocco, saying joint efforts had produced “unprecedented operational successes” against terrorist groups, organised crime and drug trafficking and that the two countries were working towards a comprehensive security agreement.
Speaking after the 15th Franco-Moroccan High-Level Meeting in Rabat, Lecornu said cooperation between French and Moroccan security, police and judicial authorities had intensified as relations between the two countries deepened.
“Our common security is in the interest of both our peoples,” Lecornu said, highlighting cooperation against terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking and irregular migration.
“Trust has enabled us to be effective. It has made it possible in recent weeks to achieve unprecedented operational successes in the fight against organised crime and drug trafficking thanks to the joint work of our police officers and magistrates,” he said.
Lecornu said Paris and Rabat intended to take the relationship further through the conclusion of a comprehensive security agreement in the coming months.
The security partnership forms part of a broader rapprochement between the two countries following French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Morocco in October 2024.
Lecornu said French and Moroccan ministers had reviewed progress on commitments made during that visit and found results to be “exceptionally positive” in sectors including security, defence, industry and energy.
The two countries also signed terms of reference establishing a bilateral defence industry committee and a technical arrangement on military archives during Thursday’s meeting.
Relations between Paris and Rabat have strengthened since France backed Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara.
