Strategic dialogue facilitates reinforcing bilateral consultations, FM Saad Edine Othmani with Hillary Clinton in Washington

PERSISMA, Washington (Sept. 14, 2012) – The strategic dialogue between Morocco and the United States is an opportunity to strengthen bilateral consultations in order to reach concerted positions on a number of regional and international issues of common interest, Foreign Minister, Saad Dine el Otmani said Thursday in Washington.

“This dialogue is an opportunity to further consolidate the Moroccan-US relations at all levels and establish a partnership framework based on continuous dialogue and exchange of views in order to coordinate positions,” the minister told reporters on the sidelines of the first strategic dialogue between Morocco and the United States.

In its economic aspect, this new framework focuses on strengthening US investment in Morocco, and consolidating the free trade agreement in order to ensure greater success and balance, said the minister, who also highlighted the need to increase contacts between businessmen from the two countries. The strategic dialogue also aims to benefit Morocco of US support programs, he said.

On the security front, Morocco is expected to play an important role in the future in strengthening security and stability in the Sahel-Saharan region, noted el Otmani, adding that the dialogue will allow to explore ways and means to put an end to security threats that threaten the region.

During the opening session, el Otmani had emphasized the strong commitment of Morocco to work with the various regional and international partners, NGOs and states in order to safeguard the security and stability in the Sahel-Saharan region.

In this context, he underlined Morocco’s efforts to coordinate at the highest level with neighboring states and ECOWAS to maintain security in the region, given its direct impact on security in the region, in the Mediterranean basin and in the world.

On the Maghreb, the minister stressed the strong support of the Kingdom for building the Maghreb Union as a strategic choice, as mentioned in the Moroccan constitution, and as a priority of the foreign policy of Morocco.

Source: MAP