US underscores Moroccan King’s leadership, reaffirms support for autonomy plan

The US state department highlighted the leadership of King Mohammed VI in promoting regional stability and peace and reaffirmed its position in support of the Morocco-proposed autonomy plan.

Secretary of State Anthony Blenken “expressed his appreciation for King Mohammed VI’s leadership and longstanding contribution to promoting stability and regional peace, including his efforts to promote a secure and prosperous future for Israelis and Palestinians,” the state department said after Blenken’s talks with Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in Washington.

“The Secretary noted the United States continues to view Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as serious, credible, and realistic,” Blenken said.

The US had recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara territory in late 2020 and voiced support for the autonomy plan.

“We have a long standing, historic and steadfast partnership with Morocco, which has been such an important force for stability [..] We are working together in so many different areas. We have our upcoming African lion exercises that you’ll be hosting,” Blenken told the media.

“I would also point out the leadership that Morocco has showed working on normalization with Israel [..] But we have a lot of work that we’ve done together over the last, last couple of years, and I was eager for this opportunity to both to catch up and to move forward on some of the things that we’re working on together,” he said.

“The Secretary and the Foreign Minister discussed efforts to advance regional peace and security, reflecting Morocco’s stabilizing role on a range of challenges in the Middle East and Africa,” the statement said.

Morocco was the first nation to recognize the independence of the United States. The two countries share longstanding ties that also include a strategic defense partnership as well as a Free Trade Agreement.

Bourita is in Washington as part of regular talks to consolidate their bilateral partnership.