US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stressed that the agreement on enhanced privileges and immunities extended to the counselor corps, signed on Tuesday by the United States and Morocco, is a “new breakthrough” in the relations of long-standing friendship between Rabat and Washington, while expressing his gratitude to HM King Mohammed VI for his support in developing this agreement which aims to guarantee the efficient functioning of the diplomatic representations of the two countries.
“Our close ties are not surprising. Morocco and the United States are old friends,” Pompeo said in a speech on the occasion of the signing, via videoconference, of this agreement during a ceremony co-chaired with Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad, Nasser Bourita.
The American official added that “this agreement, as well as the new consulate that we will start building in Casablanca later this year, mirror the importance attached by our two nations to the security and the morale of our teams and their families”.
“The consular staff of our countries deserve the same privileges and protections as the staff of our embassies,” he said.
Recalling that the Kingdom was the “first nation to recognize us in December 1777,” Pompeo said the oldest diplomatic property of the United States, the Tangier American Legation, celebrates its 200th anniversary next year. “It’s our only national historical monument that is outside of the United States,” he said.
The American official hailed the constantly improving Moroccan-American relations, noting that the two countries have broadened, in recent years, the strategic partnership through the Free Trade Agreement, strengthened security cooperation, and stepped up joint efforts to promote tolerance and religious freedoms.
“Today, our countries are adding a new chapter in our diplomatic history books,” he said.
The Secretary of State also thanked the Moroccan authorities for facilitating the repatriation of 2,700 American nationals via 16 flights since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are grateful to our Moroccan friends in this noble mission,” he said.
The agreement between Rabat and Washignton relating to enhanced privileges and immunities was initialed by David Fischer, US Ambassador in Rabat and Anas Khales, Ambassador, Director of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad. The provisions of this agreement state that each party shall grant the consular officials of the other party, and their families, the privileges and immunities provided for in Articles 29 to 36 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
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