French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu reaffirmed on Thursday France’s support for Morocco’s position on Western Sahara, saying Paris’ stance was “unwavering” and would not change, as the two countries prepare a landmark bilateral treaty.
Speaking after the 15th Franco-Moroccan High-Level Meeting in Rabat, Lecornu said France understood the importance of the Sahara issue for Morocco and reiterated the position set out by President Emmanuel Macron in a letter to King Mohammed VI in July 2024.
“We know the crucial importance that the question of the Sahara holds for your country and you know the clarity of our position,” Lecornu said.
“I reaffirm here that this position is unwavering. It will not change and, as you know, we are acting accordingly,” he added.
Relations between Paris and Rabat have strengthened since France backed Morocco’s position on Western Sahara in 2024, ending years of tensions between the two countries and paving the way for closer political, economic and security cooperation.
Lecornu said the renewed relationship was reflected in the growing number of joint projects launched since Macron’s state visit to Morocco in October 2024.
He also announced progress toward a bilateral treaty that he said would provide a long-term framework for cooperation between the two countries.
“We are working on a bilateral treaty between our two countries, the first that France will sign with a country outside the European Union,” Lecornu said.
The treaty is being prepared by a joint committee of French and Moroccan figures and is intended to provide a stable framework for future cooperation across political, economic and strategic sectors, he said.
Lecornu described Thursday’s meeting as part of a new chapter in Franco-Moroccan relations launched by Macron and King Mohammed VI, saying the two governments had been tasked with implementing commitments made during the French president’s visit to Morocco and developing new areas of cooperation.
