Security Working Group of US-Morocco Strategic Dialogue Meets in Washington

Morocco and the United States convened on Wednesday a working group of the U.S.-Morocco Strategic Dialogue in Washington to enhance further the existing security cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting was co-chaired by Nathan A. Sales,US Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Director of Global Affairs at the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ismail Chekkori in presence of Moroccan Ambassador in Washington Lalla Joumala.
Delegations from the United States and Morocco reaffirmed their ongoing commitment to strengthening counterterrorism cooperation and discussed the evolving nature of efforts to defeat ISIS and other terrorist groups in Africa.
They discussed the urgent need for all countries to repatriate foreign terrorist fighters from Syria and prosecute them for the crimes they have committed.
The delegations agreed to build on ongoing initiatives to fight terrorism, including countering threats from terrorist ideology. The two sides also reaffirmed their interest in strengthening border security and countering terrorist travel, and discussed international cooperation in trade controls and nonproliferation frameworks, including the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism and the Proliferation Security Initiative.
The Working Group concluded with a renewed commitment to improving law enforcement and justice sector cooperation and fighting cyber-crime, as well as in prison management, crisis management, and justice sector reforms.
Rabat and Washington 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 U.S. and Moroccan militaries hold joint exercises and training.
Morocco is a strong U.S. partner in counterterrorism efforts and works closely with U.S. law enforcement to safeguard both countries’ national security interests.
The U.S. and Morocco coordinate their efforts to promote regional stability and security, including through the Global Counterterrorism Forum and the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.
Morocco has a comprehensive counterterrorism strategy that includes vigilant security measures, regional and international cooperation, and counter-radicalization policies.