Moroccan Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita received the US Assistant Secretary of State Wendy Sherman this Tuesday, March 8 in Rabat, where both officials held bilateral consultations and co-chaired a session of Strategic Dialogue.
The officials reaffirmed the continuity and strength of bilateral relations between the two countries, namely the United States’ support to Morocco’s autonomy plan for the Western Sahara issue, relations with Israel, cooperation, and peace in the North African and Mediterranean region.
Foreign Minister Bourita and Assistant Secretary Sherman both “welcomed the celebration of International Women’s Day as an important step in the promotion and advancement of women’s rights,” while stressing “the need to advance efforts to strengthen women’s rights and achieve equality,” read a joint statement.
The meeting was an opportunity to “reinforce the commitment to the long-standing relationship between Morocco and the United States that dates back to 1787,” and the two officials stressed that the bilateral strategic partnership between Morocco and the United States is rooted in shared interests in regional peace, security, and prosperity.
In a press conference held today, the Assistant Secretary “thanked Morocco for its leadership of the Global Counterterrorism Forum and for its supportive role in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS,” calling the Kingdom “a stable partner and security exporter.”
With regard to Libya, the Deputy Foreign Minister welcomed “the positive role and important contribution of Morocco in supporting the efforts of the United Nations in the political process and hosting the internal Libyan dialogue.”
The US Deputy Secretary of State reiterated her “strong commitment to Libya’s sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and national unity, and the priority of organizing national elections in the near term.”
The US official highlighted the important celebration of International Women’s Day as “a milestone in the promotion and advancement of women’s rights,” stressing the need to strengthen efforts aimed at promoting women’s rights and achieving equality in Morocco.
Regarding the situation in Ukraine, the US official reiterated the importance of respecting the territorial integrity, sovereignty and national unity of all UN member states,” in alignment with Morocco’s position, all while acknowledging that “this is a matter of Russian aggression against a sovereign country.”
As a reminder, Sherman’s visit is expected to last from March 8 to 9. She will lead the US delegation to the US-Morocco strategic dialogue on regional political issues, according to the US State Department.
Sherman will have a working lunch with Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and meet with other government officials. Her visit includes a trip to Rabat and Casablanca.
On the occasion of March 8 and International Women’s Rights Day, she will also deliver a speech, featuring entrepreneurs and businesswomen.
After Morocco, the official will head to Algeria where she will meet with Algerian President Abdelamdjid Tebboune to discuss bilateral and regional issues. A meeting is also scheduled with Ramtane Lamamra, head of Algerian diplomacy.US Deputy Secretary of State reiterates support to Morocco’s autonomy plan in Rabat
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