Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Washington - The Morocco-US strategic dialogue is a platform to explore and promote triangular cooperation between Morocco, the USA and Africa that caters for the well-being of populations, said Morocco's ambassador to Washington, Rachad Bouhlal.
"Spurred by HM King Mohammed VI, Morocco has established human development on top of priorities on equal par with development and intensification of cooperation with sub-Saharan countries, as part of an approach based on the principle of shared prosperity and inclusive progress", the diplomat told a gathering of officials from the state department, representatives of enterprises, think-tanks and African ambassadors in Washington.
This approach focusing on citizens as the center of development is in line with the theme of the US-African leaders summit to be held in Washington, namely "investing in future generations", added Bouhlal, noting that HM King Mohammed VI has paid several visits to African countries. During the Sovereign's latest African tour, no less than 92 agreements were signed between Morocco and sub-Sahran countries.
The diplomat also recalled Morocco's active solidarity with Africa, under the leadership of HM the King, citing the Sovereign's decision, unveiled during the 2000 Africa-Europe summit, to write off the debts of African least advanced countries and offer their exports access to the Moroccan market.
The ambassador further recalled that King Mohammed VI has repeatedly urged international institutions to cancel the debts of African countries, adding that Morocco also supports the US "African Growth and Opportunities Act" (AGOA), and calls for its renewal, after it expires in September 2015.
The dinner-debate took place in the presence of under- secretary of state for African affairs, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, ambassador-main advisor at the US-African leaders summit organization, Michael Battle, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Robert Jackson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern affairs, William Roebuck, and vice-president of African affairs at the US chamber of commerce, Scott Eisner.
