French president Macron and Moroccan king Mohammed VI forge new bilateral ties with historic Rabat agreements

The event, attended by high-ranking officials from both countries, marked a significant strengthening of French-Moroccan relations.

The agreements cover a broad spectrum of projects, beginning with infrastructure development. The first agreement involved Morocco’s Office National des Chemins de Fer (ONCF) and French company ALSTOM, formalizing a partnership to provide high-speed trains for Morocco’s growing rail network.

This contract, signed by ONCF Director Mohamed Rabie Khlie and ALSTOM CEO Henri Poupart-Lafarge, entails the acquisition of train carriages and maintenance support, ensuring Morocco’s railway system keeps pace with technological advancements.

In finance, both countries signed a declaration of intent to expand financial cooperation in Morocco’s rail sector, with Morocco’s Economy and Finance Minister Nadia Fettah, ONCF Director Mohamed Rabie Khlie, and French Finance Minister Antoine Armand putting their names to the document.

Following this, ONCF signed an advisory contract with SYSTRA/EGIS for the development of rail infrastructure between Kenitra and Marrakech.

Energy and environmental sustainability formed another core focus, with French company SAFRAN pledging investment in an aircraft engine maintenance center, while Total Energies and Total Eren laid out plans for advancing Morocco’s green hydrogen sector.

The Ministry of the Interior, represented by Abdelouafi Laftit and French counterpart Bruno Retailleau, also signed multiple cooperation agreements in civil protection, natural disaster response, and civil aviation support.

In agriculture and water resources, Morocco’s Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka, joined AFD Director General Rémy Rioux in committing €100 million to foster the transition of Moroccan ports to greener, more climate-resilient infrastructures.

Baraka also signed a €100 million agreement with French Secretary of State Thani Mohamed-Soilihi to bolster Morocco’s National Water Strategy.

Education and cultural exchange initiatives were further emphasized, with an accord outlining enhanced cooperation in educational training, language support, and inter-academic partnerships signed by Morocco’s Minister of Education Mohamed Saad Berrada and France’s Education Minister Anne Genetet.

Another declaration formalized cooperation between both nations’ universities, with a focus on research and innovation in technology and green energy.

The agreements reflect a shared commitment to sustainability, economic growth, and cultural exchange.

As King Mohammed VI and President Macron concluded the signing, both leaders expressed optimism about the strengthened ties between Morocco and France, setting a promising course for future cooperation.