King Mohammed VI and French President Emmanuel Macron signed at the Royal Office in Rabat on Monday a Declaration on a «reinforced exceptional partnership» between Morocco and France. This agreement aims to strengthen cooperation across bilateral, regional, and international sectors to address shared challenges. King Mohammed VI and President Emmanuel Macron, during Macron's state visit to Morocco from October 28-30, 2024, decided to elevate their nations' relationship to a «reinforced exceptional partnership», marking a new chapter in the long-standing history between France and Morocco. The leaders expressed their shared vision for this partnership to embody: - The deep-rooted, historically rich relationship between the two nations, marked by decades of friendship and cooperation. A mutual commitment to build on their achievements and push their partnership into new, strategic areas responsive to national and international shifts. - A goal to establish a comprehensive, stable, and sustainable framework for bilateral relations, engaging all levels of state, supported by forward-looking initiatives to meet the aspirations of current and future generations. - A resolve to be strategic partners across political, economic, and human spheres. Recognition of the contributions of local authorities, institutions, economic actors, youth, civil society, and citizens in both countries to the partnership. - A commitment to mobilize all relevant areas of cooperation to address shared challenges effectively. - The two leaders reaffirmed that their joint actions, both domestically and internationally, would be guided by principles of sovereign equality, non-interference, commitment, trust, transparency, consultation, solidarity, and mutual responsibility. They outlined three main goals for the «reinforced exceptional partnership»: - Enhancing political and strategic alignment to address major challenges. - Deepening and modernizing the partnership for economic development, social cohesion, and strategic autonomy. - Strengthening cooperation in human relations, human capital, and cultural exchanges within a framework of shared values and openness. Key areas for intensified focus include health safety and vaccine production, water management, agriculture, forestry, infrastructure, renewable energy, AI, security, defense, education, cultural and creative industries, sports, and major event planning. The leaders also committed to building a comprehensive agenda on migration, addressing issues like legal mobility, irregular migration, and readmission, emphasizing cooperation among origin, transit, and destination countries. The two leaders agreed to oversee the «reinforced exceptional partnership» directly, setting priorities and reviewing progress regularly. A strategic monitoring committee, representing both countries, will support this partnership, complementing existing cooperation bodies. They also emphasized the partnership's broad territorial scope, reflecting France's support for Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara. Macron reaffirmed France's endorsement of Morocco's autonomy plan for the region as the basis for a just and lasting resolution. President Macron reiterated France's commitment to supporting Morocco's regional development efforts. Following the ceremony, the King presented a gift to President Macron. The signing was attended by Moroccan officials Fouad Ali El Himma, Advisor to the King, Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Samira Sitaïl, Ambassador to France, as well as French officials Emmanuel Bonne, Macron's Diplomatic Advisor, Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and Christophe Lecourtier, Ambassador to Morocco.
