New diplomatic tour for French PM as lecornu visits qatar and Morocco

In his first international tour since assuming office, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has embarked on a two-nation journey, starting with a visit to the Qatar before heading to Morocco. The trip underscores the strengthening ties between France and these strategic partners in the Middle East and North Africa.

The Prime Minister landed in Doha on Tuesday to convey France’s official condolences following the passing of Qatar’s former Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The late leader, who ruled from 1995 to 2013, was remembered for his pivotal role in modernizing the nation and pioneering a forward-thinking foreign policy. His state funeral, held on Sunday, marked a significant moment for the Gulf state.

The French delegation, including former Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, was received by Qatari officials to pay respects and reaffirm the deep bonds between the two nations.

Strengthening ties in Rabat amid regional dynamics

From Wednesday evening, Lecornu’s agenda shifts to Rabat, where he will engage in high-level discussions with Moroccan leaders. The visit, scheduled to last until Thursday, aims to revitalize bilateral cooperation after years of fluctuating relations.

A key highlight will be a meeting with Morocco’s Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, representing the first high-level government-to-government interaction since 2019. The agenda includes talks with a dozen French ministers, including Foreign Affairs chief Jean-Noël Barrot and Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, signaling the depth of the discussions.

This visit comes at a time when France and Morocco have seen a marked improvement in their relations. The turning point was President Emmanuel Macron’s 2024 recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara, a move that strained ties with neighboring Algeria but opened new avenues for cooperation. The gesture was reciprocated with a lavish three-day state visit by Macron to Rabat later that year, culminating in multiple trade agreements.

Looking ahead, the pinnacle of this renewed partnership could be a state visit by Morocco’s King Mohammed VI to France, potentially accompanied by the signing of a landmark treaty to formalize an exceptional bilateral relationship.