Summary:

On 17-18 February 2025, French Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati conducted a visit to Morocco during which she signed multiple cooperation agreements with her Moroccan counterpart. 

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The agreements include the exchange of archives for research and documentation, the co-production of films, cooperation in archeological projects and the promotion of Moroccan heritage and cultural tourism. 

The conventions were signed with representatives from several French institutions including the National Library of France (BnF), the National Audiovisual Institute (INA), the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP) and the French Institute. 

The French Minister visited Dakhla in the contested Western Sahara region, qualifying the visit as “historic” as it was the first visit by a French minister to the southern provinces. 

The Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to the French Minister’s visit to Dakhla by condemning it as “it reflects a flagrant disregard for international legality and a detestable image of a former colonial power in solidarity with a new one.” 

Outlook: 

Cooperation between France and Morocco has increased since President Emmanuel Macron’s visit in October 2024. Rachida Dati’s visit expands the development of this cooperation to include the cultural domain.  

Morocco is the leading non-European touristic destination for French tourists and more cooperation in the cultural domain will likely further confirm this relationship with increased French tourism. Cultural exchanges and collaboration on films are also likely to pave the way for more investments by French businesses as French citizens become more familiar with Moroccan culture.  

However, the French Minister’s visit to the Western Sahara is likely to exacerbate the ongoing tensions between France and Algeria and prompt a more hostile Algerian stance toward Morocco.  

The Polisario Front also remains a challenge to French projects in the contested areas where previous attacks were conducted by the separatist group.  

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