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Rabat – The US diplomatic mission held an event at the American Legation Museum of Tangier to commemorate the 200th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Morocco. On May 17, 1821, the US opened its first, foreign public property outside of the US in Tangier’s old city.
The mission solidified Morocco as the first country in the world to recognize the US’ independence from Great Britain. The Moroccan-American Treaty of Friendship was signed in 1786 by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Sultan Mohammed Ben Abdellah al-Khatib, and other European diplomats.
US Charge d’Affaires David Green commented on the history of the American Legation Museum in Tangier and its impact on US relations with Morocco stating, “[it’s] a living symbol of friendship between the U.S. and Morocco.”
The diplomatic post served as the US consulate in Morocco for 140 years and now acts as a museum and cultural center, known as the “Tangier American Legation Institute for Moroccan Studies (TALIM).”
During the ceremony, diplomats also noted that the legation was one of the first foreign, diplomatic posts to receive US Marines as security personnel.
Relations between the US and Morocco continue to thrive as the two countries partner economically and militaristically.
The US’ Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) represents the Compact II agreement between the US and Morocco. Under the authority of King Mohammed VI, the Moroccan government signed the Compact II agreement in 2015 “with the objective of improving the quality of human capital and land productivity.”
Read also: US, Morocco Convene to Discuss Progress of MCA Compact II Agreement
Currently, the project has a budget of $450 million in US funding, with the Moroccan government compensating for 15% of the total investment.
Additionally, the US and Morocco continue to improve militaristic relations by undergoing joint military exercises such as Operation African Lion 2021 and the Humanitarian Mine Action 2021, in which US troops trained Morocco’s military forces on responsible explosive ordnance disposal.
The future of relations between the US and Morocco remains promising as US President Joe Biden maintains a pro-Moroccan stance on Western Sahara. Former President Donald Trump announced the decision to recognize Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara towards the end of his presidency.
