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Rabat – In a move to deepen partnership, a delegation of six US Senators from both Republican and Democratic parties met with Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch today in Rabat.
According to a press release from the cabinet of the head of the government, the visit, aimed at exploring ways to strengthen strategic relations between the two countries, comes amidst a backdrop of strong economic ties and ongoing regional cooperation.
The discussions highlighted the positive trajectory of US-Morocco relations, with both sides expressing satisfaction over the increased trade volume, which currently has jumped from 43.4 billion dirhams in 2021 to 68.9 billion dirhams currently.
The meeting also emphasized on Morocco’s potential as a gateway for American investment in Africa, fostering a mutually beneficial partnership. This economic cooperation finds its foundation in the 2004 Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two nations.
The agreement, supported by action plans derived from a joint declaration, covers sectors ranging from agriculture and industry to services. It also addresses areas like labor practices, environmental regulations, public markets, and intellectual property rights.
Further solidifying the partnership, Morocco and the US signed their fourth cooperation action plan for environmental and sustainable development earlier in March.
This plan focuses on strengthening joint efforts to achieve national sustainability goals, with areas of collaboration including environmental legislation, climate change mitigation, biodiversity protection, and environmental education initiatives.
Beyond economic and environmental collaboration, the Prime Minister emphasized the strong security ties between Rabat and Washington. He highlighted Morocco’s leadership role and its contributions to regional stability in North Africa and the Middle East.
The meeting also acknowledged the US’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara in 2020, along with its support for the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco to the UN. This show of American support was welcomed graciously by the Moroccan government.
According to the press release, the discussions additionally highlited the long-standing historical ties between the two countries, dating back to the signing of the Moroccan-American Treaty of Peace and Friendship in 1787, which marks the oldest treaty in US history with a non-European nation.
This high-level visit by US senators signifies a commitment from both nations to further strengthen their strategic partnership across various sectors.
