After his meeting with Nasser Bourita, the US Assistant Secretary: Morocco is an important partner to our country

A press statement issued on Tuesday, July 27, Joey Hood met in Rabat with Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita revolved around further promote the already strong U.S.-Morocco strategic partnership under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, as the commemoration of the bicentennial of the first U.S. diplomatic mission in Morocco – the Tangier American Legation – and celebrate over 200 years of friendship between the two countries.

Joey Hood expressed his gratitude for Morocco’s continuous and valuable support on issues of common interest such as peace in the Middle East, and stability, security, and development across the region and the African continent.

Not to mention also that the US has invested more than $15 million in Morocco’s COVID-19 pandemic response, collaborating with the Ministry of Health to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the weekend, the United States delivered over 300,000 Johnson & Johnson vaccines to Morocco. These single-dose vaccines will supplement the Kingdom’s already massively successful vaccination campaign.

Joey Hood also expressed his excitement about the first commercial flight from Tel Aviv to Marrakech this past weekend. Noted that Morocco’s efforts to improve relations with Israel are welcomed by the United States as Morocco-Israel relations will benefit both countries in the long run.

Morocco is also a close partner of the US on a variety of security issues. It takes part in over 100 military engagements with US each year, including African Lion, the continent’s largest annual U.S. military exercise, which returned to Morocco last month after a one-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, Morocco is the only African country with which we have a Free Trade Agreement, and we and our firms see Morocco as a gateway to the continent. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the FTA’s implementation which both countries have reaped significant benefits, including the creation of thousands of jobs and a fivefold increase in trade volume–to $5 billion per year.

Concerning Western Sahara, the US supports a credible UN-led political process to stabilize the situation and end all hostilities. As Joey Hood said that they are consulting with the parties to determine the best way to put an end to the violence and eventually reach a permanent settlement and they are prepared to be actively engaged with all sides in support of that individual.

He concluded the statement by his excitement to visiting the National Library to see the Moroccan – US exhibition commemorating the bicentennial of the Legation and the deep historical ties that exist between the two countries, mentioning that exhibition is free and open to the public, and it will be on display at the National Library until October, when it will be relocated to the Slaoui Foundation in Casablanca.

 

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