US Senator: ‘Morocco is a Stabilizing Force in a Volatile Region’

Rabat – Morocco’s Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita, met today in Casablanca with a delegation of US senators to discuss the depth of the US-Morocco relationship, as both countries are working to advance peace, prosperity around the world.

On the sideline of the meeting, US Senator for South Carolina Lindsey Graham said that the relationship between Rabat and Washington “is one of the strongest that the US maintains in the region.”

Graham highlighted that members of both parties see Morocco as “a stabilizing force in a volatile region.”

The US ambassador to Morocco, Puneet Talwar, also took part in the meeting. “I joined six US senators for an excellent meeting with Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs today in Casablanca,” the ambassador tweeted.

“We talked about the strength of the US-Morocco relationship and how we are working together to advance peace, prosperity, and security across the region and throughout the world.”

I joined six US senators for an excellent meeting with @MarocDiplomatie today in Casablanca; we talked about the strength of the US-Morocco relationship and how we are working together to advance peace, prosperity, and security across the region and throughout the world. pic.twitter.com/5jACxnZ5iP

— Ambassador Puneet Talwar (@USAmbMorocco) February 27, 2023

The delegation’s visit comes as Rabat and Wahsginton continue to deepen their historical, strategic cooperation in a wide range of areas.

Morocco has long been one of the US’ oldest allies as it was the first country to recognize the US as an independent nation in 1786.

An old, close alliance

The two countries celebrated “200 years of friendship” in 2021, pledging to further strengthen their ties and expand their cultural and economic cooperation as well as their strategic security partnership.

US Senator Bob Menendez said that the delegation’s discussions with Bourita provided an opportunity for Rabat and Washington to review their “strong relationship” and discuss bilateral cooperation “to address, together, a wide range of regional and international challenges.”

Morocco’s Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita

Stressing King Mohammed VI’s important role in strengthening Morocco-US ties, Menendez said, “We express our deep appreciation to His Majesty King Mohammed VI for His commitment to strengthening relations between the United States and Morocco.”

Menendez, who also serves as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, highlighted King Mohammed VI’s role in promoting peace, prosperity and security in the MENA region and around the world.

Morocco is one of the “closest and oldest” allies of the US, the senator said, stressing that the meeting was also an opportunity to highlight the importance of the bilateral partnership “on a range of security challenges, particularly the fight against terrorism.”

M. Nasser Bourita s’est entretenu, aujourd’hui à Casablanca, avec une délégation du Sénat américain.@MartinHeinrich pic.twitter.com/g5ryKuX0Q6

— Maroc Diplomatie ?? (@MarocDiplomatie) February 27, 2023

The US senator emphasized his confidence in the future development of ties between the two countries, saying that “Morocco-US can only grow stronger in the years to come.