After a seven-year hiatus, the Moroccan-French Parliamentary Forum resumes in Rabat today, continuing until Friday. The previous session was held in Paris in 2019. This revival is not merely a routine resumption of bilateral meetings, but a political and diplomatic signal reflecting the improved relations between Rabat and Paris, particularly following France’s recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara. This acknowledgment has reinvigorated the strategic partnership between the two nations.
The session features a high-level French participation, led by Yaël Braun-Pivet, President of the National Assembly, and Gérard Larcher, President of the Senate, accompanied by a cross-party delegation of eight deputies and eight senators. This diverse parliamentary composition reflects France’s intention to present a unified image of its Parliament while reaffirming its commitment to deepening cooperation with Morocco across various fields.
On the Moroccan side, the session provides an opportunity to reinforce the institutional dimension of bilateral relations, with Rashid Talbi Alami, President of the House of Representatives, and Mohamed El Rachid, President of the House of Councillors, leading the delegation. This dual representation highlights the forum’s significance in Morocco’s parliamentary agenda and underscores the Kingdom’s approach to parliamentary relations with France within a fully institutional framework, beyond narrow partisan considerations.
The forum will address four key themes reflecting the current challenges facing both countries: prospects for bilateral cooperation, security and the fight against terrorism and organized crime, women’s rights and their participation in public life, and the energy transition and renewable energy. These topics are not random; they mirror deep regional transformations—security, economic, and social—and illustrate the alignment of priorities between Rabat and Paris on issues that require ongoing political and legislative coordination.
In addition, the French parliamentary delegation will meet key Moroccan officials, including Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch and Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita, as well as representatives of the French community residing in Morocco. These meetings go beyond protocol, providing a platform for direct exchange that strengthens practical cooperation between the two countries.
Overall, this forum represents a pivotal moment in Moroccan-French relations, reflecting both parties’ desire to move from a period of interruption to a new stage of sustainable institutional cooperation, transcending traditional images of bilateral relations and establishing advanced mechanisms for political and legislative coordination, serving regional stability and mutual interests.
