Morocco-US talks center on the Sahara and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

On May 15, 2023

On Sunday, American Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita spoke by phone to discuss regional and international developments while reiterating their commitment to furthering their bilateral cooperation in the areas of security and economy.

According to a statement from the U.S. State Department, Blinken “welcomed King Mohammed VI’s decisive role in promoting regional peace and his leadership in promoting a secure and prosperous future for Israelis and Palestinians.”

I spoke with @MarocDiplomatie’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita today. We discussed the ceasefire between Israel and Gaza, strengthening the U.S.-Moroccan bilateral partnership, and efforts to advance regional peace and security.

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) May 15, 2023

The two ministers “mentioned the importance of the Negev Forum,” the same source claims. “They also emphasized the significance of a total commitment to the cease-fire between Israel and Gaza.” Along with the need to support a resolution to the situation in Syria in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254, Blinken also emphasized “the illegal occupation of Ukraine by Russia.”

The official added that “the United States fully supports the personal envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General, Staffan de Mistura, as part of the UN process on Western Sahara with a view to achieving a lasting political outcome.”