Washington, 01/10/2024 – During an important meeting between the American Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, and the Moroccan Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita, the two countries reaffirmed their strategic partnership and committed to strengthening their collaboration on stability issues regional.
In a press briefing, Antony Blinken highlighted the importance of Morocco as a key partner for the United States, particularly in promoting peace and stability in the Middle East and North Africa. He recalled that the two countries are working together on a range of critical issues, including regional security and recent developments in the Middle East, while reaffirming the United States’ commitment to the defense of Israel.
For his part, Nasser Bourita highlighted the common achievements of the two nations, celebrating in particular the 20th anniversary of two major milestones: the free trade agreement between the United States and Morocco, and the African military exercise, the largest of its kind on the continent. He also highlighted the challenges facing the partnership, mentioning the escalations of conflicts in the Middle East, as well as the crises in Libya, the Sahel, and Europe.
The context of the meeting between American Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita is marked by major geopolitical issues. It precedes a crucial session of the UN Security Council on Western Sahara, where the proposal for the Kingdom of Sahara autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is generating international consensus.
At the same time, the situation in the Middle East is deteriorating, particularly after an Israeli land invasion in southern Lebanon and the threat of an Iranian response.
Algeria, a historic ally of Iran and Russia, adopts an ambivalent position in this complex context. Washington thus reminded Algiers of the importance of changing its behavior and adopting a more constructive approach. The United States urges Algeria to align with international efforts to stabilize the region, to avoid worsening tensions in an already fragile environment.
The meeting between Blinken and Bourita demonstrates the continued commitment of the two countries to collaborate on urgent international issues, while seeking peaceful solutions to the crises shaking several regions of the globe.
Transcription of the press briefing given by Blinken and Bourita
Antony Blinken:
Hello everyone. It is always a great pleasure to be with my colleague and friend, Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Morocco. I look forward to consulting on a wide variety of issues we are working on together, particularly on stability, both in the Middle East and in Africa and North Africa.
Morocco is an essential partner of the Unity of the United States and I greatly appreciate, not only the relationship between our countries, but also the partnership with my friend the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Of course, we follow events in the Middle East very closely. The United States is committed to the defense of Israel. We are watching the developments, as I said, very carefully at the moment.
Nasser Bourita:
Thanks, Tony. And as we stand today, our two countries celebrate the 20th anniversary of two milestones in our partnership:
- The FTA (Free Trade Agreement), the only agreement between an African country and the United States,
- The African Military Exercise, the largest United States military exercise on the continent.
We are also, as you said, partners in peace, and this is valid today, as we see the escalations in the Middle East, problems in the Sahel, in Libya, in Europe. So this is an opportunity to coordinate its majestic values, this partnership, and we would like to work together to bring peace to all these places in the world.
It’s always a pleasure. THANKS.
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