On Very High Royal Instructions, the Minister Delegate to the Head of Government, in charge of the National Defense Administration, Abdellatif Loudyi, held talks, Wednesday at the headquarters of the Administration, with a delegation of the American Congress led by the Chairman of the Armed Services Committee of the American House of Representatives, Mike Rogers.
The National Defense Administration reported in a statement that during this meeting, also attended by American Ambassador to Morocco, Puneet Talwar, members of the American delegation praised Morocco’s major reforms, under the Leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah glorify Him.
The American representatives also commended the excellent long-standing ties of friendship and cooperation between Morocco and the US, which are strengthened by the strategic partnership at the political, diplomatic, economic, military, and security levels, recalling the Kingdom’s multiple efforts and role in maintaining peace and stability in the Mediterranean, Africa, and the Middle East.
For his part, Loudyi reaffirmed Morocco’s willingness to expand the Morocco-US partnership, which was consolidated by the signing, before His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist Him, of the tripartite joint declaration between Morocco, the US, and Israel in December 2020 that recognizes Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara.
On the field of defense, the statement reported that the Moroccan minister praised the positive decisions taken by the US Congress and Senate regarding the military cooperation between Morocco and the US, on the occasion of the adoption of the US National Defense Budget for 2023.
Loudiyi also stressed the importance of bilateral military cooperation and training actions, reflected in the regular holding of the “African Lion” Exercise, in strengthening the interoperability of Moroccan and American forces.
Following this meeting, the two parties expressed their willingness to further strengthen the excellent ties uniting Morocco and the US, particularly per the 2020-2030 roadmap, which was signed during the visit of the US Secretary of Defense, Mark Esper, to Morocco in October 2020.