Morocco FM welcomes new U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission, building on strong cooperation ties

Moroccan foreign minister Nasser Bourita received on Tuesday in Rabat new U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Benjamin Ziff who arrived in Morocco over the weekend and assumed the role of Chargé d’Affaires to the U.S. Mission in the North African Kingdom

A U.S. embassy press release said talks focused on opportunities to build on the deep historical ties between the United States and Morocco toward a more secure and prosperous future for both countries.

This is the first meeting between Bourita and Ben Ziff. It comes ahead of U.S. Senate confirmation of Trump’s nominee Ambassador to Morocco Richard Duke Buchan III.

Morocco is U.S. major ally and partner in the region. The two countries consult closely on security, political, and economic issues, and on sustainable development.

Morocco is the only country in Africa having a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States. It is also the first country to recognize the independence of the United States of America in 1777.