Morocco has been a partner of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Mediterranean Dialogue since its launch in 1994.
Rabat – On Tuesday, Morocco’s Minister Delegate for National Defense Abdeltif Loudiyi received the secretary general for political affairs and security policy for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Alejandro Alvargonzalez.
During the meeting, which is pursuant to the high royal instructions, the two officials discussed measures to increase cooperation between Morocco and NATO, particularly in the areas of defense capacity building, interoperability, cybersecurity, and cyber defense.
According to a statement published by Maghreb Arab Press (MAP), the officials also discussed security issues in the Mediterranean region and the Sahel, where terror networks are active.
The meeting took place during a seminar on cooperation between Morocco and NATO.
The Moroccan-NATO cooperation is governed by an Individual Partnership and Cooperation Program.
It includes the training of military officers and the exchange of expertise as well as regular exchanges of visits by senior officials from both sides.
Alvargonzalez also met Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita. Following his talk with Bourita, the NATO official said, “What Morocco is doing every day for the security of the people of the Mediterranean basin, and beyond this geographical area, is extremely positive for the stability of all of us.”
He also thanked King Mohammed VI for his leadership and for “the security of Morocco and the security that Morocco extends in the region.”
He also expressed gratitude for the country’s “indisputable loyalty to the people of the Mediterranean, Europe, and the Maghreb.”
Bourita said that the meeting between Morocco and NATO is part of the “long-standing” relations between the two partners.
Morocco “is strengthened in its role of stability provider in the Sahel, the Mediterranean, and North Africa,” Bourita said.
Bourita also recalled Morocco’s role in the areas of peacekeeping operations and the fight against terrorism and transnational crime.
The role makes Morocco a “valued and sought-after partner,” Bourita concluded.
