Rabat – Abdeltif Loudyi, Minister Delegate in charge of National Defense Administration received today a delegation from the United States Congress to discuss bilateral ties and military cooperation.
Doug Lamborn, Chairman of the House of Services Committee led a delegation of seven US Congress members from committees on financial services, procurement, foreign affairs, budget, agriculture, energy, and commerce.
US ambassador to Morocco Puneet Talwar, along with officials from the US embassy in Rabat also attended the meeting.
During the meeting, the American congressman emphasized the importance of friendship, cooperation and partnership between the US and Morocco.
The congressman also commended Morocco’s role in promoting peace and stability in Africa, the Middle East and the Mediterranean, according to a statement from the National Defense Administration.
During the meeting, as a part of King Mohammed VI’s royal instructions, Loudyi echoed satisfaction with the high level of cooperation between the two countries as well as their armed forces.
He said this cooperation is demonstrated by the regular holding of the African Lion, the largest military exercise in Africa.
The military exercise celebrated its 20th edition this year with the participation of over 7,000 military personnel from Arab, African, and European countries in addition to the host countries, the US and Morocco.
Morocco and the US share good diplomatic ties and cooperation at all levels, including a Free Trade Agreement that has been effective since 2006.
Morocco is the largest purchaser of US military equipment in Africa and has received substantial support through Foreign Military Financing and the International Military Education and Training program.
The US State Department frequently touts cooperation between the two countries.
“Morocco is an essential partner of the United States, and I highly value the relationship between our two countries,” US State Secretary Antony Blinken said during a meeting with Morocco’s Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita earlier this month.
