Defense and military coopeartion between Morocco and the United states as well as regional security were reviewed at a meeting in Rabat Monday between minister Delegate in charge of the National Defense Administration, Abdeltif Loudyi, and a delegation from the U.S. Congress, led by the Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, Jason Smith, that is on an official working visit to the Kingdom.
During the meeting, the two sides hailed the excellence of the long-standing ties between Morocco and the United States and the high level of cooperation achieved in the military field.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to consolidating mutually beneficial relations and strengthening bilateral cooperation, a statement from the Administration of National Defense said.
The meeting also reviewed the state of cooperation in the field of defense, marked notably by the regular meetings of the Defense Advisory Committee, the frequent exchange of visits by senior officials, and the joint organization of the large-scale annual exercise “African Lion,” which today represents a major lever for success serving the interoperability of the armed forces of participating countries.
Loudyi welcomed the frank and positive support of the United States of America for Morocco’s sovereignty over its entire territory, as well as the constructive efforts undertaken in this regard, the statement added.
The Moroccan official also highlighted the various South-South cooperation and regional integration initiatives launched by King Mohammed VI, making Morocco a dynamic actor of stability and shared prosperity for the benefit of the African continent.
For its part, the U.S. Congressional delegation praised the leadership of King Mohammed VI, which placed the Kingdom as an important actor of stability and shared prosperity in the face of the different challenges and issues affecting regional security.
At the end of this meeting, both parties expressed their ambition and shared determination to consolidate this strategic partnership and to strengthen the exemplary relations of trust and friendship between the two countries, the statement said.
The same day, the Congress delegation held a meeting with Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch that reviewed means of bolstering strategic ties between Morocco and the United States.
The two parties welcomed the growing momentum of trade exchanges between both countries, stressing that Morocco is likely to establish itself as a hub for American investments in the region, as part of a win-win partnership.
During the meeting, Akhannouch surveyed Morocco’s major reforms and pioneering initiatives under the King’s enlightened leadership, and hailed the United States’ constant position supporting the autonomy plan within the framework of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Southern provinces.
