In his first ten months leading the government, Sébastien Lecornu had not yet traveled abroad. This week, he undertakes his maiden overseas journey as head of government.

His first stop is Qatar, where he arrived on Tuesday alongside former Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. The purpose was to deliver France’s official condolences following the passing of the former Emir, Sheikh Hamad ben Khalifa al-Thani. The Élysée Palace emphasized that President Emmanuel Macron personally tasked Lecornu with this mission, describing it as “a gesture reflecting the deep friendship between France and Qatar.”

The Qatari government announced on Sunday the death of the 74-year-old emir, who ruled from 1995 to 2013 before unexpectedly abdicating in favor of his fourth son. His funeral took place the same evening.

The Élysée highlighted the late emir’s legacy, noting his role in Qatar’s historic modernization and innovative, effective diplomacy.

Strengthening ties in Rabat

After concluding his engagements in Doha, Sébastien Lecornu is scheduled to arrive in Rabat, Morocco, on Wednesday evening, where he will remain until Thursday. The agenda includes high-level meetings with Moroccan officials, accompanied by a delegation of over a dozen ministers, including the Foreign Affairs and Interior ministers, Jean-Noël Barrot and Laurent Nuñez, respectively.

The French Prime Minister will hold talks with his Moroccan counterpart, Aziz Akhannouch, marking the first high-level government meeting between the two nations since 2019.

This visit aims to solidify the improving relations between France and Morocco, which have steadily strengthened since President Macron recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara territory in the summer of 2024. This decision drew sharp criticism from Algiers but paved the way for a historic reconciliation.

Macron’s state visit to Rabat in October 2024, the first in three years, symbolized the thaw in relations, following years of tensions exacerbated by espionage allegations and visa disputes. The visit culminated in the signing of multiple bilateral agreements.

The relationship is expected to reach new heights with a potential visit by King Mohammed VI to France, possibly accompanied by the signing of a landmark treaty to formalize an “exceptional” Franco-Moroccan partnership.