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Rabat – Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita met with the United States Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, on Thursday in Washington, DC.
The meeting is the first between the two chief diplomats. No details of the issues discussed during the meeting were given.
In a video published by the US State Department’s Twitter account, Bourita and Tillerson are seen coming out of a large wooden door. The two men stand for a couple of seconds waiting for pictures to be taken as they shake hands.
Tillerson welcomes his guest to the State Department. Bourita, all smiles, responds by thanking his host and reminding him of the historical relationship between the two countries.
The meeting is the first between the two chief diplomats. No details of the issues discussed during the meeting were given.
Secretary Rex Tillerson greets Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita @statedept in Washington, DC. pic.twitter.com/vVkjdwQmd2
— Department of State (@StateDept) September 7, 2017
Bourita also met with President Donald Trump’s senior advisor and son-in-law Jared Kushner.
The Moroccan minister also held discussions with the chairs of the House and Senate foreign affairs committees.
Morocco is seeking to strengthen relations with the new US administration. In February, Princess Lalla Joumala Alaoui, the former Moroccan ambassador to the United Kingdom, was appointed the ambassador to Washington.
In April, Lalla Joumala was received by President Trump in the White House. During the meeting the ambassador affirmed that Morocco will support US actions in the Middle East to bring peace to the region.
The two countries share a common interest in countering terrorism. Morocco joined the US led “war on terror” following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City.
While Morocco is seen by the US as an important security ally, the kingdom is seeking a more favorable position from Washington regarding the issue of Western Sahara.
Differences with the former Obama administration arose after the US proposed in 2013 that the United Nations peace-keeping mission MINURSO monitor human rights in the region. The proposal drew criticism by Morocco.
