France’s Interior Minister heads to Morocco for security, migration talks

France’s Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau will visit Morocco this weekend to discuss deepening cooperation on security and migration, according to AFP and local media. He is expected to meet his Moroccan counterpart Abdelouafi Laftit to address issues including counterterrorism and the streamlining of consular procedures such as the issuance of travel documents for deportations.

The visit follows a renewed phase in Franco-Moroccan relations, marked by French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Rabat in October 2024. During that trip, France endorsed Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara and signed a roadmap to boost ties across trade, culture, and security.

Retailleau’s trip aims to build on this momentum, as both countries seek to coordinate more closely on irregular migration, judicial cooperation, and regional security. France views Morocco as a critical partner in managing migration flows from sub-Saharan Africa and combating transnational threats across the Mediterranean. Further agreements may follow as ties continue to warm.