Officials from the French Republic and the Kingdom of Morocco confirmed on Wednesday that preparations are underway for a future State Visit by His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco to the French Republic, during which the two countries are expected to sign what both governments have described as a historic bilateral treaty.

The announcement was made following meetings in Rabat, Morocco, between the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic, Jean-Noël Barrot, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Morocco, Nasser Bourita, on May 20th.

According to the Ministère de l’Europe et des Affaires étrangères (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs), the discussions formed part of the growing “enhanced exceptional partnership” between the French Republic and the Kingdom of Morocco, with both governments seeking to deepen cooperation across strategic political, economic, and regional sectors.

During a joint press conference in Rabat, Morocco, Minister Barrot stated that the French Republic was preparing to welcome His Majesty King Mohammed VI for a future State Visit, while Minister Bourita confirmed that a bilateral treaty between the two countries would be signed during the visit. Reuters reported that the agreement would represent Morocco’s first treaty of its kind with a European country and the French Republic’s first such treaty with a non-European state.

Neither government has publicly released the full details of the proposed treaty or announced an official date for the State Visit.

According to statements made during the meetings in Rabat, preparations are continuing ahead of a high-level Franco-Moroccan commission expected to convene in July 2026.

Relations between the French Republic and the Kingdom of Morocco have strengthened considerably since 2024, when the French Republic formally recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, a move that marked a major diplomatic shift in French policy toward the disputed territory. 

On October 28th, 2024, the President and First Lady of the French Republic, Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron, paid a three-day State Visit to the Kingdom of Morocco at the invitation of His Majesty the King. The visit was widely viewed as marking the beginning of a renewed phase in relations between the two countries.

Minister Barrot has described the Kingdom of Morocco as a central regional partner for the French Republic in Africa, particularly in areas connected to economic cooperation, regional stability, and diplomatic coordination.