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Rabat – General James C. McConville, the US Army’s Chief of Staff, emphasized the importance of the US-Morocco military cooperation on Monday in Rabat.
McConville led a US delegation on an official work visit to Morocco.
The US Army Chief of Staff held meetings with Moroccan military officials, including Abdellatif Loudiyi, Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in Charge of the National Defense Administration, and Gen. Abdelfattah Louarak, Inspector General of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR).
The US embassy in Morocco quoted the US top official, who reiterated the need to continue to strengthen cooperation with strong allies and partners.
“I believe in peace through strength and that strength comes from a strong military along with a whole-of-government approach and strong allies and partners,” said Gen. McConville.
According to him, Moroccan officials were “capable” partners, asserting that today’s meeting allowed both countries to discuss ways to further strengthen cooperation on shared priorities.
The two countries seek to boost collaboration in training, professional military schools, and non-commissioned officer development.
During the meeting, the officials also discussed the implementation of the US-Morocco Roadmap Defense Cooperation agreement.
The US and Morocco signed the partnership agreement last year, with the aim to strengthen cooperation in priority areas, such as boosting Morocco’s modernization and efforts to “more effectively face regional threats together,” the US embassy said.
“U.S. and Moroccan officials also discussed Morocco’s continued yearly participation in more than 100 military exercises with the United States, including African Lion, the largest annual military exercise in Africa – which returned to Morocco in June after a one-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the statement added.
The embassy recalled that the visit comes amid celebration of 200 years of friendship and ties between the country.
“The general’s visit also coincides with the ongoing celebration of the bicentennial of the American Legation in Tangier, which Morocco gifted to the United States in 1821.”
The legation was the first US diplomatic mission in Morocco and stands as an enduring symbol of the friendship between the two nations.
