France and Morocco have agreed to closer cooperation on the deportation of undocumented migrants residing in French territory.
As part of a new phase in bilateral relations, the two countries will establish a joint working group to identify and repatriate Moroccan nationals who lack legal authorization to remain in France. The agreement was announced following a visit by French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau to Rabat, where he held talks with his Moroccan counterpart Abdelouafi Laftit. In addition to migration, the two ministers discussed the fight against organized crime and broader security cooperation.
According to Retailleau, the new framework will “increase the efficiency of deportations.” In the past, Morocco had refused to issue the necessary documents for the return of its nationals, prompting France to drastically reduce the number of visas granted to Moroccans in 2021 and 2022.
Relations between Paris and Rabat have improved notably after France recognized the disputed Western Sahara region as part of Morocco — a move that angered neighboring Algeria, which supports the region’s independence movement and funds the Polisario separatist group.
Amid this rapprochement between France and Morocco, diplomatic tensions between Paris and Algiers have grown. On Monday, it was revealed that Algeria had ordered 12 French diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours. The decision came after French authorities arrested three Algerians suspected of kidnapping a political opponent in exile.
Historical and political disagreements between France and Algeria — especially regarding migration — remain unresolved. Despite attempts to renew dialogue, economic cooperation between the two nations has suffered: according to Reuters, trade between them fell by 30% between July 2024 and March 2025.
