New partnership treaty aims to deepen France-Morocco ties

Both nations are charting a bold new course in their bilateral relations by laying the groundwork for a landmark friendship treaty. This initiative reflects a shared vision to build a partnership anchored in long-term strategic interests, drawing inspiration from the historic 1963 Élysée Treaty between France and Germany.

The newly established joint commission will not negotiate the treaty itself—that responsibility rests with the two governments—but will instead craft detailed proposals. These include defining guiding principles for the partnership, outlining strategic priorities for 2035-2040, establishing political dialogue mechanisms, and identifying key cooperation areas spanning economic, security, military, educational, and cultural domains.

Why a new friendship treaty?

The proposed agreement will replace the 1955 La Celle-Saint-Cloud accord, which played a pivotal role in Morocco’s return to independence and the end of the French protectorate, formally recognized on March 2, 1956. This historic accord enabled the restoration of Mohammed V to the throne after his deportation on August 20, 1953. Today, the treaty seeks to solidify the gains of an already exceptional partnership while charting a balanced, forward-looking relationship built on equality and shared vision for decades to come.

Four pillars shaping the future partnership

The treaty will rest on four foundational pillars, each designed to strengthen bilateral ties and enhance Morocco’s regional standing.

1. Economic Cooperation and Industrial Modernization

France has pledged significant investments in Morocco’s key industrial sectors, including automotive, rail, defense, and maritime transport. These investments aim to modernize infrastructure and integrate cutting-edge technologies. In return, Morocco will offer French companies preferential access to major infrastructure projects and tailored fiscal incentives, fostering a mutually beneficial economic ecosystem.

2. Security and Defense Collaboration

Strengthening defense ties is a cornerstone of the agreement. France will transfer advanced military technologies to help Morocco develop a regional hub for producing light and heavy military equipment, including aviation, munitions, armored vehicles, and defense systems. Additionally, joint training programs and intelligence-sharing initiatives will be expanded to address regional security challenges, particularly in the Sahel.

3. Cultural and Educational Exchange

Cultural diplomacy remains a vital component. France will maintain French as a privileged language in Morocco’s education system while promoting Francophonie without restricting the country’s engagement with global business languages like English. Efforts will include increasing scholarships for Moroccan students—currently numbering over 42,000—in French universities and expanding the network of French cultural institutes from 12 to include new institutions, especially in southern regions.

4. Geopolitical and Strategic Alignment

France will support Morocco’s core interests on the international stage, including backing the Autonomy Plan for Western Sahara, as endorsed by the UN Security Council through Resolution 2797 (October 31, 2025), and advocating for Moroccan positions within the European Union. This support extends to sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, and broader bilateral and multilateral cooperation frameworks.

«This friendship treaty will bind France to a non-EU member state, a feat Algeria has repeatedly failed to achieve over the past two decades, despite multiple attempts under various administrations.»

— Mustapha Sehimi

The treaty also signals France’s strategic interest in leveraging Morocco’s pivotal role as a regional hub. As France’s influence in West Africa has waned over the past decade, Rabat’s position offers a valuable opportunity to re-engage through new alliances and partnerships across the continent.

A model for future cooperation between Europe and Africa

Beyond its tangible benefits, the treaty carries significant symbolic weight. It positions Morocco as a leading regional power in economic, energy, logistics, and security affairs. By establishing a framework for cooperation between a European power and an African state outside the EU, this agreement could serve as a model for redefining how Europe and Africa collaborate in the 21st century.