Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington to discuss the key areas of the Morocco-US strategic partnership and a range of regional and international issues.
This meeting is part of the ongoing political consultations between the two nations.
During their discussions, Bourita and Blinken reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation.
Their talks covered topics of mutual interest, including regional security, economic development, and political stability in North Africa and the broader Middle East. These discussions come at a time when Morocco and the US celebrate two major milestones in their bilateral relations.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of two significant events in the Morocco-U.S. relationship. First, the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), signed in 2004, remains the only FTA that the United States has with an African nation. This agreement has played a pivotal role in boosting trade between the two countries, leading to increased economic cooperation and investment.
Second, the African Lion military exercises, initiated two decades ago, have grown into the largest US-led military drills on the African continent.
The exercises are aimed at improving interoperability and military cooperation between U.S. forces and their African counterparts. These annual drills, which take place in Morocco, underscore the country’s role as a key US security partner in Africa.
In recent years, Morocco has become a central player in US foreign policy in the region. The North African nation’s role in promoting stability in the Sahel, combating extremism, and fostering diplomatic ties between Israel and Arab nations through the Abraham Accords has elevated its importance to Washington.
During the meeting, both sides discussed Morocco’s leadership in regional security, particularly in addressing terrorism and strengthening governance in North Africa. Additionally, they reviewed the broader geopolitical landscape, touching on critical issues such as the Western Sahara conflict, with Morocco seeking continued US support for its autonomy plan for the disputed territory.
As Morocco and the United States continue to build on their long-standing partnership, these consultations reflect the evolving nature of their cooperation, not only in trade and military domains but also in addressing pressing global challenges, such as climate change, migration, and counterterrorism.
