Morocco-UK: Means to consolidate defense cooperation for peace & regional stability discussed in Rabat

Means to consolidate cooperation between Morocco and the United Kingdom in matters of defense for the promotion of peace and regional stability were discussed at separate meetings held in Rabat Tuesday by British Senior Defense Advisor to the Middle East and North Africa, Air Marshal Martin Elliot Sampson, with Minister Delegate in charge of the National Defense Administration, Abdeltif Loudyi, and Lieutenant General, Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) and Commander of the South Zone, Belkhir El Farouk.

The meetings reviewed ways to further promote military cooperation, and to expand it to other areas of common interest, including maritime security, Special Forces, Defense Industry and Artificial Intelligence, a statement released by the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces said.

During their meeting, Air Marshal Martin Elliot Sampson and Abdeltif Loudyi expressed satisfaction at the excellence and sustainability of the special ties that unite the two Kingdoms, and highlighted their ambition to further develop these long-standing relations.

The two officials also exchanged views on the regional security situation, especially in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and the Sahel and stressed the need to consolidate cooperation in defense for peace and regional stability, the statement said.

The two officials who highlighted the historic role that Morocco has always played in promoting peace and stability in the Middle East and Africa thanks to the farsighted vision of King Mohammed VI reviewed the various aspects of bilateral cooperation and ways and means to further strengthen it in areas of common interest.

During their meeting that took place later Tuesday, Lieutenant General Belkhir El Farouk and Air Marshal Martin Elliot Sampson described relations between Morocco and the United Kingdom as “historic, dynamic and exceptional, based on friendship and mutual trust.” The two officials exchanged views on various areas of cooperation between the Royal Armed Forces and the British Armed Forces. This cooperation covers training, exchange of visits and experiences, and the organization of joint exercises, such as the “Jbel Sahara” drill.

Lieutenant General Belkhir El Farouk expressed the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces’ willingness to further promote bilateral military cooperation, and to expand it to other areas of common interest, including maritime security, Special Forces, Defense Industry and Artificial Intelligence, the statement added.

The British official also conferred with Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita.

Moroccan-British military cooperation is governed by a Framework Agreement on Military and Technical Cooperation signed in 1993, as well as a Status of Forces Agreement signed in 2013. Bilateral activities are planned according to a schedule established by a joint commission which convenes once a year, alternately in Rabat and London.