Rabat – US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has emphasized his country’s commitment to strengthening US-Morocco bilateral cooperation.
Blinken made his remarks during a phone call with Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita, the US secretary announced on Twitter on Monday.
“I spoke with @MarocDiplomatie’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita today,” Blinken wrote.
“We discussed the ceasefire between Israel and Gaza, strengthening the U.S.-Moroccan bilateral partnership, and efforts to advance regional peace and security.”
Bourita and Blinken reviewed regional and global developments, a statement from the State Department said, noting that the phone discussion also served as an opportunity for the US to emphasize its determination to strengthen “security and economic partnership” with Morocco.
In addition, Blinken also commenced King Mohammed VI’s “crucial voice in advancing regional peace and his leadership in promoting a secure and prosperous future for Israelis and Palestinians.”
Morocco is among the countries that support a two state solution for the Palestinian cause, stressing the importance of ensuring an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Despite re-establishing relations with Israel, Morocco has frequently stressed its constant support for the Palestinian cause.
On Thursday, Government Spokesperson Mustapha Baitas said that the country’s position on the Palestinian cause is “clear” and “constant.”
Morocco has reiterated its constant support for the Palestinian cause on “numerous occasions,” he said, recalling support initiatives under royal instructions, including action taken by Morocco’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Bayt Mal Al Quds Agency to support the Palestinian cause.
This is not the first time that the US expressed unwavering support for Morocco’s actions to support regional peace.
Earlier this year, State Department Spokesperson Ned Price reaffirmed his country’s satisfaction with Morocco’s leadership and the country’s efforts to promote the two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
In addition to the Palestine-Israel conflict and bilateral relations, Blinken and Bourita also discussed the Western Sahara dispute.
During the phone call, Blinken reaffirmed the US’ full support for the UN-led political process and the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy’s efforts seeking to achieve an “enduring and dignified political solution” for the dispute.
The US is among a growing list of countries that support Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as a serious and credible basis to end the dispute over Western Sahara.
Morocco submitted the autonomy plan to the UN Security Council in 2007 as part of its efforts to contribute to the UN-led political process, aimed at finding an agreed upon and mutually accepted political solution to end the regional dispute.
