Congressmen reiterate from Rabat US recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara, call for greater US investment in region

Members of the U.S. Congress reaffirmed on Friday from Rabat the United States’ recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara.

Following talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs,Nasser Bourita,the congressmen highlighted the prospects for cooperation between Morocco and the United States.

“We look forward to future opportunities for collaboration between our two countries,especially in the Sahara,” Congressman Mike Lawler emphasized,reaffirming Washington’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty of its Sahara.

Lawler also reiterated U.S. support for the Autonomy Plan presented by the Kingdom in 2007,and expressed the hope that this recognition would encourage more US investments in the southern provinces,which would further strengthen the centuries-old relations between the two countries. In this regard,he recalled that Morocco was the first country to recognize the independence of the United States of America in 1777.

He likewise expressed his gratitude for the efforts undertaken by the Kingdom,under the leadership of King Mohammed VI,in favor of stability and peace at both the regional and continental levels,while praising the historic partnership between the United States and Morocco,particularly in the areas of security and economic development.

For his part,Congressman Ritchie Torres welcomed the bonds of friendship and strategic partnership between the two countries,expressing satisfaction with the United States’ recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara,a position recently reaffirmed by President Donald Trump.

“Morocco is at a strategic crossroads,a connection to Europe and Africa and the Middle East,” he said,describing the Kingdom as Washington’s greater friend in North Africa.

The State Department has recently celebrated this US-Morocco relationship,posting on its website a factsheet on this alliance that is rooted in historical ties.

Morocco was one of the first countries to recognize the newly independent United States,opening its ports to American ships by decree of Sultan Mohammed III in 1777,the paper recalled,noting that Morocco formally recognized the United States by signing a treaty of peace and friendship in 1786,a document that remains the longest unbroken relationship in U.S. history.

The two countries,which have a long history of working together bilaterally and regionally,share common concerns and consult closely on security,political,and economic issues and sustainable development. The United States designated Morocco a Major Non-NATO Ally in 2004,and the U.S. and Moroccan militaries hold joint exercises and training. Morocco is a strong partner in counterterrorism efforts and works closely with U.S. law enforcement to safeguard both countries’ national security interests,the State Department said,underlining that the U.S. and Morocco coordinate their efforts to promote regional stability and security,including through the Global Counterterrorism Forum and the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.