Rabat – US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met today with the Head of Morocco’s Government Aziz Akhannouch as part of his working visit to Rabat, where they committed to further develop the two countries’ economic ties and encourage investments.
Akhannouch talked about several strategies and projects that the Moroccan government has put in place to mitigate the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic and encourage investments and economic revitalization.
Global challenges were brought up in the meeting, with the officials discussing ways of overcoming them. In particular, Akhannouch and Blinken talked about the worldwide rise in the prices of essential goods and global supply chain disruptions.
Also addressed in the pair’s meeting was the Millennium Challenge, with Akhannouch confirming that Morocco will continue to fulfill its obligations as part of the program.
The Millennium Challenge Corporation is a US foreign aid agency that provides grants to developing countries in line with what the US deems good economic policies and potential for economic growth.
Morocco was one of the first countries to enter the program when it was founded in 2004.
Akhannouch and Blinken further talked about the importance of maintaining the long-standing relationships between the US and Morocco, and expressed intentions to continue cooperating in common problems both in the political and economic fields.
In addition, Blinken expressed satisfaction with the meeting on Twitter, citing efforts to advance Morocco’s economic leadership in Africa.
Good meeting in Rabat today with @ChefGov_ma Aziz Akhannouch. We discussed opportunities and challenges facing Morocco, efforts to advance its economic leadership in Africa, and avenues for additional U.S. support for Morocco’s initiatives. pic.twitter.com/ZjWCdfGY9L
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) March 29, 2022
The meeting included Minister of Industry and Trade Riad Mezzour, Government Spokesperson Mustapha Baitas, and General Director of Morocco’s Millennium Challenge Account Malika El Asri.
Blinken also met separately with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita earlier today,where he affirmed his country’s commitment to support Morocco’s development reforms.
On the Western Sahara question, the US chief diplomat stressed his country’s commitment to the UN-led political process and Morocco’s Autonomy Plan.
Read Also: Blinken Touts US-Morocco Long-Standing Partnership
Bourita, for his part, spoke of the “common values” the US and Morocco share, stating that the two countries will continue to cooperate to ensure regional stability.
Blinken arrived in Rabat on March 28 for a working visit that is planned to last three days, after his participation in the Negev Summit in Israel, in which Morocco was also a participant.
He will meet with more Moroccan officials to discuss US-Morocco cooperation on a wide range of topics.
