The head of U.S. diplomacy Antony Blinken, on Monday, gave strong support to the Moroccan plan for autonomy of the Sahara, calling it “dependable” and “credible.”
The Secretary of State stressed that his country continues to view Morocco’s autonomy plan as reliable, credible and realistic, and a potential approach to meeting the aspirations of the people” of the Sahara, his spokesman Ned Price said after a meeting between Antony Blinken and his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita in Washington.
Both parties “expressed their strong support” for the new UN envoy Staffan de Mistura, according to the US statement.
Antony Blinken and Nasser Bourita discussed “the deepening of relations between Morocco and Israel,” as the first anniversary of their rapprochement draws near on December 22.
They also discussed “the efforts of the newly formed Moroccan government to advance the reform agenda of King Mohammed VI, and the importance of promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms.”
The two sides also stressed the importance of “the continued deepening” of Morocco-Israeli relations. The same goes for Moroccan-American relations. Indeed, the head of U.S. diplomacy was keen to recall the “strong and long-standing partnership between Washington and Rabat and the willingness of the United States to further consolidate it.”
This is the ambition reiterated recently by the U.S. president in a message to King Mohammed VI on the 66th anniversary of the Independence of Morocco, commemorated on November 18.
Joe Biden highlighted the long-standing relationship and common values shared by the two countries, thanks to a 235-year partnership that began with the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between the United States and Morocco in 1786.
“We look forward to deepening our shared commitments, investing in each other’s prosperity, and building on this unbreakable partnership. Our shared interest in peace, security, and stability in North Africa provides solid grounds for continued collaboration and engagement,” the U.S. president said in the message.
HA/fss/abj/APA