Morocco and France signed 12 cooperation agreements on Thursday at the conclusion of the 15th Morocco-France High-Level Meeting in Rabat, expanding collaboration across sectors ranging from high-speed rail and water management to education, transport, culture and scientific research.
The agreements translate the two countries’ strengthened strategic partnership into concrete projects following the renewed momentum in bilateral relations launched under King Mohammed VI and French President Emmanuel Macron.
High-speed rail and water
Among the most significant agreements was a memorandum of understanding supporting financing for Morocco’s high-speed rail extension between Kenitra and Marrakech.
Signed by Moroccan Economy and Finance Minister Nadia Fettah Alaoui, French Economy Minister Roland Lescure and French Development Agency (AFD) Morocco Director Catherine Bonnaud, the agreement builds on a declaration of intent signed in October 2024 and supports one of Morocco’s flagship infrastructure projects.
The same officials also signed a joint declaration outlining support for the national water strategy as the Kingdom continues investing in long-term water security amid recurring drought and growing pressure on water resources.
Foreign policy and education
Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and his French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot signed a letter of intent establishing cooperation on feminist foreign policy, with both countries agreeing to exchange expertise in bilateral and multilateral diplomacy.
In education, Moroccan Education Minister Mohamed Berrada and French Minister Delegate for Francophonie and International Partnerships Éléonore Caroit agreed to strengthen the teaching of Arabic language and history-geography in French schools operating in Morocco, promoting bilingual education and a deeper understanding of Moroccan society.
Transport and logistics
Transport cooperation featured prominently during the meeting.
Moroccan Transport and Logistics Minister Abdessamad Kayouh and French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot signed a three-year civil aviation action plan covering the 2026–2028 period.
The maritime sector was also included through a cooperation agreement between France’s National Maritime Academy (ENSM) and Morocco’s Higher Institute of Maritime Studies (ISEM), aimed at expanding academic exchanges and technical cooperation.
Meanwhile, Morocco’s Ministry of Industry and Trade concluded a cooperation agreement with France’s La Poste Group to modernize postal services and adapt them to evolving digital and logistics challenges.
Culture and creative industries
Culture accounted for three of the agreements signed.
Youth, Culture and Communication Minister Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid and French Culture Minister Catherine Pégard signed two declarations of intent—one covering artistic exchanges and the mobility of cultural professionals, and another focused on cooperation in cinema, audiovisual production and emerging creative industries, including video games, across Africa.
Bensaid also signed a strategic partnership agreement with the Arab World Institute in Paris to expand joint cultural, intellectual and civic initiatives.
Engineering and scientific research
The two countries also strengthened technical and scientific cooperation.
Morocco’s Public Laboratory for Testing and Studies (LPEE) and France’s CEREMA signed a framework agreement covering engineering, infrastructure and technical expertise.
In higher education and research, Morocco’s Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine (IAV Hassan II) and France’s CIRAD signed a cooperation framework covering agriculture, veterinary medicine, fisheries and related scientific research.
