The United States and Morocco encourage all Mediterranean and African countries to join PSI

The United States of America and Morocco urged all Mediterranean and African countries to join the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) and attend future PSI-related events.

In a joint statement from the U.S. Department of State, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, following the PSI North Africa meeting held December 6-8 in Tangier, Washington and Rabat called on “all Mediterranean and African countries that have not yet joined PSI to join and participate in future meetings related to this initiative.”

According to the same source, the Tangiers meeting, “the first of its type in the region,” symbolized teamwork and agreements to address the region’s risks posed by weapons of mass destruction.

“Over a three-day period, civilian and military officials from ten governments discussed trends in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, international and national judicial authorities related to the prohibition of weapons of mass destruction, and issues related to stopping and inspecting shipments of potential weapons of mass destruction and related materials,” according to the statement.

The Tangier meeting also included presentations by experts, a scenario-based simulation exercise and a visit to the Tangier Mediterranean port for inspection of cargo, he added.

The Paris Principles Initiative (PSI) is a voluntary global cooperation framework established in 2003 to adopt the Paris Principles, also known as the Interdiction Principles.

To date, 107 countries have ratified the PSI Declaration, pledging to take effective action to prevent the transfer of these weapons in accordance with national legislation and international obligations, as well as to implement simplified procedures for the smooth exchange of information and the strengthening of relevant national and international laws and frameworks.