Morocco, US Discuss Cooperation in Security, Regional Defense

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken (Reuters)
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken (Reuters)
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Morocco, US Discuss Cooperation in Security, Regional Defense

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken (Reuters)
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken (Reuters)

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken held a telephone conversation with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, during which he praised Morocco's commitment to peace and security in the Middle East region.

Blinken tweeted that they discussed the strong bilateral, regional security and defense cooperation.

"We also discussed my recent trip and meetings with Egyptian, Israeli, and Palestinian leaders."

A statement by the US State Department spokesman Ned Price stated that Blinken, who is on tour in the Middle East, discussed with Bourita "shared priorities in the bilateral relationship and efforts to advance regional stability."

Blinken and Bourita also discussed his recent travel and engagements with Egyptian, Israeli, and Palestinian leaders, during which he called for de-escalation and an end to the cycle of violence.

The Secretary commended the Foreign Minister for Morocco's commitment to promoting peace and security in the region, including Morocco's participation in the Negev Forum.

Earlier, the US commended Morocco's role, under King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the al-Quds Committee, in supporting the Palestinian people and advancing a two-state solution and peace in the Middle East region.

Price indicated, during a press conference at the Washington Foreign Press Center, that Morocco has a unique relationship with the Palestinians.

"We appreciate Morocco's role in providing aid and assistance to the Palestinian people and to supporting a two-state solution, something that, of course, is at the center of all of our efforts in the region as well," asserted Price.



France Declines to Comment on Algeria’s Anger over Recognition of Morocco’s Claim over Sahara

French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)
French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)
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France Declines to Comment on Algeria’s Anger over Recognition of Morocco’s Claim over Sahara

French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)
French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)

Paris declined to comment on Algeria’s “strong condemnation” of the French government’s decision to recognize Morocco’s claim over the Sahara.

The office of the French Foreign Ministry refused to respond to an AFP request for a comment on the Algeria’s stance.

It did say that further comments could impact the trip Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune is set to make to France in late September or early October.

The visit has been postponed on numerous occasions over disagreements between the two countries.

France had explicitly expressed its constant and clear support for the autonomy rule proposal over the Sahara during Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne’s visit to Morocco in February, reported AFP.

The position has helped improve ties between Rabat and Paris.

On Thursday, the Algerian Foreign Ministry expressed “great regret and strong denunciation" about the French government's decision to recognize an autonomy plan for the Western Sahara region "within Moroccan sovereignty”.

Algeria was informed of the decision by France in recent days, an Algerian foreign ministry statement added.

The ministry also said Algeria would draw all the consequences from the decision and hold the French government alone completely responsible.