Rabat & Washington Look Forward to Reinforcing their Military Cooperation
Morocco and the United States, two friends and allies for centuries, have reaffirmed their strong determination to enhance further their military cooperation to defend their common regional and global geostrategic interests.
At a meeting held Tuesday in Rabat, Abdeltif Loudyi, Minister Delegate for National Defense and Robert S. Karem, US Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, hailed the dynamic and rich cooperation ties existing between the two countries in the field of defense.
The two ministers also expressed their countries’ willingness to foster and deepen cooperation in weapons modernization, army capacity building and military interoperability.
Loudyi and the US official praised the solid and excellent Morocco-American relations and their strategic partnership based on longstanding friendship, mutual understanding and shared trust.
Talks between the two sides covered the regional security situation, particularly in the Mediterranean region and the Sahel-Saharan strip as well as Morocco’s strategy to combat terrorism and tackle the migration crisis in a humane manner.
Robert S. Karem, on a working visit to Morocco, is the principal advisor to the Under-Secretary of Defense for Policy and the Secretary of Defense on international security strategy and policy on issues of DoD in the Middle East and Africa.
He also oversights security cooperation programs and foreign military sales programs.
Morocco and the USA have a long history of working together bilaterally and regionally. They share common concerns and consult closely on security, political, and economic issues and sustainable development.
The United States designated Morocco a Major Non-NATO Ally in 2004, and the US and Moroccan militaries hold joint exercises and training.
Morocco is a strong partner in counterterrorism efforts and works closely with US law enforcement to safeguard both countries’ national security and interests. They coordinate their efforts to promote regional stability and security, including through the Global Counterterrorism Forum and the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.
