US Congress Celebrates Morocco-US Strategic Partnership, Historic Ties

Draped in Moroccan colors, the United States Congress on Tuesday evening hosted a gala honoring the strategic partnership between Morocco and the United States, a relationship rooted in what remains Washington’s oldest continuous diplomatic bond worldwide.

For one evening, the US Congress – an epicenter of American political memory and a venue where major foreign policy decisions are shaped – adopted a distinctly Moroccan tone. Senior political figures from across the federal capital gathered in the Kennedy Caucus Room, a rare setting for tributes to a foreign partner.

Organized as part of the Project Legacy Morocco initiative, the event brought together more than 200 guests, including senators, members of Congress, senior military officials, diplomats, and a broad cross-section of the Moroccan-American community.

The level of attendance reflected a broad bipartisan consensus on Morocco’s standing in Washington and the depth of the Rabat-Washington partnership.

During the evening, Republican and Democratic lawmakers alike spoke of the enduring friendship between the two countries, tracing its origins to Morocco’s historic decision in 1777 to become the first nation to recognize the independence of the United States.

Republican Senator Tim Sheehy recalled that at a time when the young American republic was struggling to assert itself internationally, Morocco was among the few states that recognized its legitimacy and offered support.

“Today, in an era of uncertainty – whether in the fight against terrorism or in confronting new threats – it is more important than ever to invest in our alliances and remain firm in these relationships,” he said.

Democratic Senator Tim Kaine stressed the strategic importance of the Rabat-Washington axis, noting that as the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of its independence, it is equally meaningful to honor relations with “our oldest diplomatic partner,” Morocco.

Kaine, a former governor of Virginia, added that the relationship remains “very important to the United States and will only grow in importance.”

Democratic Congressman Jimmy Panetta observed that nearly 250 years later, Morocco remains one of America’s longest-standing allies, with strong cooperation across diplomatic, military, and economic domains. He recalled that Morocco remains the only African country bound to the United States by a free trade agreement.

‘Nearly 250 years of diplomatic relations are not improvised’

Morocco’s ambassador to Washington, Youssef Amrani, said the evening made it possible to reflect not only on the achievements of a partnership anchored in history, but also on the ambitious prospects ahead – an outcome he attributed to the vision of King Mohammed VI.

“Nearly 250 years of diplomatic relations are not improvised,” Amrani said. “They are built, strengthened, and preserved, reflecting an unwavering commitment, a friendship that never hesitated, and a vision rooted in loyalty, understanding, and respect.”

He described Morocco’s partnership with the United States as the natural extension of a strategic choice shaped over generations, from King Mohammed VI to his predecessors, including the late King Hassan II and Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah, who laid the foundations of the bilateral relationship.

“Nothing, 250 years ago, could have foretold that two geographically distant nations would become the exceptional partners they are today,” Amrani noted.

He also recalled that Morocco is not only the sole African country with a free trade agreement with the United States, but also the first to host the largest joint military exercise on the continent with Washington.

What might appear to some as a coincidence, he argued, reflects instead an action-oriented diplomacy and a deep convergence of Atlantic visions on both sides of the ocean.

That level of mutual understanding, the ambassador added, has allowed the two countries to reach advanced convergence on key strategic issues, including Washington’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces.

“Our two countries know each other deeply, understand each other clearly, and support each other over the long term,” Amrani said, emphasizing a dialogue rooted neither in short-term calculations nor narrow interests.

He concluded that the shared values, achievements, and ambitions binding Rabat and Washington suggest that the past 250 years represent not a culmination, but a prelude to an even more expansive partnership ahead.

MWN with MAP