Morocco’s Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of National Defense Administration, Abdeltif Loudyi, received on Monday a delegation from the U.S. Congress led by Jason Smith, Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, who is paying an official working visit to the Kingdom.
The meeting was held in execution of the High Royal Instructions and focused on the strength of the long-standing strategic ties between Morocco and the United States, as well as the advanced level of cooperation achieved between the two countries, particularly in the military and defense fields.
According to a statement from the National Defense Administration, both sides welcomed the excellence of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their shared commitment to further consolidating mutually beneficial partnerships and strengthening cooperation across various sectors.
Discussions also reviewed the state of defense cooperation between Rabat and Washington, notably through the regular meetings of the Defense Advisory Committee, the frequent exchange of visits by senior military and civilian officials, and the joint organization of the large-scale annual “African Lion” military exercise.
The exercise, the statement noted, has become a major pillar of military cooperation, contributing significantly to interoperability among the armed forces of participating countries and reinforcing collective security efforts.
During the meeting, Loudyi welcomed what he described as the frank and positive support of the United States for Morocco’s sovereignty over its entire territory, as well as the constructive efforts undertaken by Washington in this regard.
The Moroccan official also highlighted the various South-South cooperation and regional integration initiatives launched under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, which have positioned Morocco as a dynamic actor promoting stability and shared prosperity across the African continent.
For its part, the U.S. Congressional delegation praised the leadership of King Mohammed VI, underlining Morocco’s role as a key partner and an important actor of stability in the face of growing regional and security challenges.
The delegation also commended the Kingdom’s consistent commitment to regional peace, cooperation, and development, noting the strategic importance of the Morocco–U.S. partnership in addressing common security and geopolitical issues.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both parties expressed their shared ambition and determination to further consolidate the strategic partnership in the coming years and to strengthen the exemplary relations of trust and friendship binding Morocco and the United States.
