King Mohammed VI welcomes French President Emmanuel Macron upon arrival in Rabat on a state visit aimed at reshaping a strategic partnership

King Mohammed VI has welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron upon his arrival in Rabat this Monday on a state visit aimed at reshaping the two countries’ strategic partnership and facing up shared challenges.

The Monarch was accompanied by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, Prince Moulay Rachid, and Princesses Lalla Khadija and Lalla Meryem when he welcomed President macron and his spouse Brigitte Macron at the airport.

The King, accompanied by the Crown Prince and Prince Moulay Rachid, and the French President then saluted the national colors as the national anthems of the two countries were being played, while a 21-gun salute rang out as a sign of welcome for the French President.

At the entrance to the Royal Lounge at Rabat-Salé Airport, the French Head of State and Mrs. Brigitte Macron were invited to the traditional ceremony of milk and dates offering.

After a brief pause, the cortege of the two Heads of State headed towards the Royal Palace in Rabat. Residents of the cities of Salé and Rabat gathered along the route taken by the official cortege to greet the Monarch and his guest on the first day of the state visit, which will undoubtedly add a new milestone to the long-standing friendship between the two countries and the two peoples.

The main streets along the cortege’s route were adorned with Moroccan and French flags.

In a grand gesture of communion and spontaneity, the King halted the cortege and went on foot, alongside the French President, for an exchange with jubilant citizens.

Upon reaching the “Bab Assoufara” gate, the cortege was escorted by the band and cavalry of the Royal Guard to the Place du Méchouar at the Royal Palace.

This detachment of the Royal Guard, which escorts the King when he receives distinguished guests, added a distinguished character to this official and popular ceremony reserved for the French President in the capital of the Kingdom, reflecting the deep ties between Morocco and France.

At the Place du Méchouar, French President Emmanuel Macron was greeted by the Head of Government, the Speakers of the two Chambers of Parliament, the King’s Advisors, members of the government, senior officers of the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces, and other senior officials.

Subsequently, King Mohammed VI was greeted by members of the official French delegation accompanying President Emmanuel Macron during this visit.

This state visit of the French head of state at the invitation of King Mohammed VI, described by many analysts as historic, reflectes the deep Moroccan-French relations that are based on shared history, mutual respect, dialogue, common geopolitical and economic interests. Several agreements in defense, economy, energy, industry, air transport, culture… will be sealed during this three-day state visit to Morocco by the French President who is accompanied by large business and ministerial delegation.

Over 120 personalities, nine ministers, including those of the economy, foreign affairs, the interior, the armed forces and higher education, around forty business leaders are traveling with Macron. Among them are Patrick Pouyanné of TotalEnergies, Rodolphe Saadé of CMA CGM, Catherine MacGregor of Engie, Ross McInnes of Safran, Henri Poupart-Lafarge of Alstom and Sabrina Soussan of Suez.

Personalities from the artistic, cultural, sporting, and academic worlds have also been invited by the Elysée. To keep pace with the new realities and the new order taking shape, Morocco and France are tuning their alliance to take up geopolitical and economic challenges of the 21st century.

Thanks to its growing influence in Africa and the Arab world, Morocco remains France’s top strategic partner for tripartite cooperation projects in agriculture, fisheries, water, desalination, sustainable development, green economy, health services, housing…

The North African Kingdom, which will host with Spain and Portugal the FIFA World Cup 2030, offers investors huge business opportunities in ports, airports, renewal energies, infrastructures, roads, services, railways, hotel accommodations, telecommunications…

The Sahara issue will be at the center of Moroccan-French talks. In July, President Macron backed, in a letter sent to King Mohammed VI, Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara and recognized the autonomy plan as the only solution to the conflict, opening promising prospects for bilateral ties.

King Mohammed VI has thanked Macron for his crystal-clear support for Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara and for his backing to the autonomy plan as the only basis for reaching a solution to the Sahara regional dispute.

Security cooperation between the two countries remains a key pillar of their relations. Morocco, which has been acknowledged as a regional and global player in the fight against terrorism and illegal migration, contributes to regional stability by countering transnational threats. Several terrorist plots were foiled in France thanks to tips from Morocco’s security and intelligence services.

Furthermore, Paris is banking on Morocco, a stable country and gateway to African, Arab markets and beyond, to counter rival powers and defend Moroccan-French geostrategic interests.