Official State Visit on the Horizon
Signs are increasingly pointing towards an official state visit by King Mohammed VI of Morocco to France later this year. Recent reports from French media, including the esteemed newspaper Le Monde, suggest that this visit is likely to occur after the Moroccan parliamentary session opens in October. The Moroccan monarch has already received an official invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to Rabat in October 2024.
While the precise date for the journey to Paris remains unconfirmed, it is closely aligned with the political calendar in Rabat. With parliamentary elections scheduled in Morocco for September, the state visit is expected to take place only after the king ceremonially inaugurates the new legislative term, a constitutional duty that occurs on the second Friday of October.
As reported by maghreb-post.de.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations Through a Friendship Agreement
The centerpiece of the anticipated visit is expected to be the signing of a comprehensive bilateral agreement. According to Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, this marks a significant milestone for both nations, as it will be the first treaty of its kind established between France and a non-European nation, and similarly, the first between Morocco and a European state.
Prominent figures have been entrusted with the task of drafting this pivotal document, including former French Foreign Minister Hubert Védrine and the Franco-Moroccan author and Goncourt Prize winner Leïla Slimani. Bourita has indicated that ongoing communications between the king and the French president are robust, with over 40 ministerial meetings occurring since the resumption of political dialogue.
As reported by maghreb-post.de.
The Historical Context of Diplomatic Relations
This visit would mark King Mohammed VI's second official state trip to France since his ascension to the throne in 1999, with his first visit occurring in 2000 under President Jacques Chirac. The relationship between Paris and Rabat has faced significant strains in recent years, notably due to allegations in 2021 that Moroccan intelligence services had targeted President Macron's communications using the Pegasus spyware. Additionally, critical resolutions from the European Parliament and restrictive French visa policies for Moroccan citizens have added tension to the bilateral relations.
However, the political dialogue began to be gradually restored starting in 2023, with a pivotal moment occurring in the summer of 2024 when France officially endorsed Morocco's stance on the Sahara conflict and its autonomy plan. This shift in France's foreign policy was solidified during President Macron's official visit to Morocco in October 2024.
