Morocco and the UK on Thursday reviewed North African regional security situation, particularly in the Mediterranean area and the Sahel-Sahara region. The two countries also went over military cooperation, especially in the defense industry field.
This came at separate meetings visiting British Minister of Armed Forces, James Heappey, held with Minister Delegate for National Defense Administration Abdeltif Loudyi, the Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), Lieutenant General Abdelfettah Louarak, and the Commander of the Royal Gendarmerie, Lieutenant General Mohamed Haramou.
Following royal instructions issued by Mohammed VI, Loudyi received Heappey who is on a two-day working visit to the Kingdom, said a press release from the General Staff of the FAR.
Heappey was accompanied by a delegation including Lt Gen. Sir John Lorimer, British Defense Senior Advisor to the Middle East and North Africa, and Simon Martin, British Ambassador to Rabat.
During their talks, Heappey and Loudyi reviewed historic ties shared by London and Rabat.
They also exchanged views on the regional security situation, particularly in the Mediterranean area and the Sahel-Saharan strip.
Loudyi highlighted the continuous commitment and multidimensional strategy carried out by Morocco to fight the scourge of terrorism and emphasized the Kingdom’s humane management of the migration crisis.
The two officials reiterated the two countries’ shared desire to further deepen bilateral “defense” cooperation, particularly in the defense industry, which could be integrated into a mutually beneficial perspective through sustainable partnerships for investment and industrial development.
They also expressed ambition to initiate a dynamic cooperation in the area of cyber-security and cyber-defense.
As for the meetings joining Heappey with Lt Gen Louarak and Lt Gen Haramou cooperation between the FAR and the British Armed Forces was hailed as strong and dynamic.
They also reviewed the various aspects of military cooperation, including training of officers, sharing of experience and expertise, holding of joint drills, and exchange of visits between the two armies.
Both sides voiced their shared desire to develop their cooperation relations and raise it to the same spirit of friendship and shared trust.
Activities conducted in the frame of military cooperation between the two Kingdoms are scheduled annually according to a calendar established by a joint commission, which convenes alternately in Rabat and London.