Morocco and the United States reaffirm joint partnership to address challenges and strengthen cooperation

On the occasion of the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the signing of the FTAs, Free Trade Agreements between the United States and Morocco, the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, and the Moroccan Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita, met in Washington to reaffirm the importance of the strategic partnership between the two countries and their role in promoting stability in the Middle East, Africa and North Africa. 

The Moroccan minister highlighted the close partnership between the two countries during a statement to the press, stressing that the talks with his US counterpart will allow them to coordinate actions within the framework of their strategic partnership. 

‘We are together for peace,’ said Nasser Bourita. He stressed the importance of this partnership at a time of conflict in the Middle East, the Sahel, Libya and Europe. 

For his part, Antony Blinken stressed the importance of the partnership with Morocco in promoting stability in the Middle East, Africa and North Africa. ‘Morocco is an important partner for the United States, and I consider the relationship between the two nations to be fundamental,’ he said. 

The meeting marked the 20th anniversary of the Free Trade Agreement. Signed in 2004, the Morocco-US FTA actually came into effect in 2006, strengthening the trade relationship and cooperation between the two nations. It is the only FTA of its kind signed by the United States with an African nation. 

In addition to the FTA, Washington also has significant military agreements with Morocco: the African Lion manoeuvres. This collaboration has boosted Morocco's security and defence potential to rank it among the most secure countries in Africa and has given it the status of a strong ally of Western countries, NATO and the European Union. 

Morocco's importance in the international sphere is increasingly notable. The longevity of trade agreements such as FTAs and fisheries contracts with the EU are just one more success story of Moroccan diplomacy and a sign that the steps being taken are in the right direction.