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The United States and Morocco have historically enjoyed exemplary bilateral relations. In 1786, the two countries signed the Moroccan–American Treaty of Friendship. This treaty, negotiated by Thomas Barclay, is considered the oldest treaty of friendship the US enjoys. Thomas Jefferson and Quincy Adams were the signatories of the treaty on the American side, and Sultan Mohamed III represented its Moroccan counterpart.
When the relationship between the two countries was mildly strained last month, following the US proposal to expand the mandate of the MINURSO to include human rights, a move Morocco strongly opposed as it interfered with its territorial integrity, diplomatic efforts intensified to finally convince the US to understand Morocco’s stance.
Two weeks after the adoption of a new Security Council resolution prolonging the MINURSO’s mandate in the Sahara until April 30, 2014, president Obama and King of Morocco Mohammed VI held a phone conversation. The conversation’s aim was partly to reaffirm the historic relationship between the two countries. President Obama invited his Moroccan counterpart to visit the United States so they can continue the conversation in person as reported by the White House, and further deepen the strategic partnership that binds the two allies.
The conversation between the two leaders serves as a reminder that the two countries’ bilateral relations are well and strong. Joseph K. Grieboski , Chairman and CEO of Just Consulting, and Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Institute on Religion and Public Policy told MWN that “the call between President Obama and His Majesty is a perfect demonstration of the senior level recognition of the strategic partnership and friendship between Morocco and the United States.”
Indeed, there is much at stake, which highlights the need to ensure that bilateral relations are solid and marked by a spirit of trust and understanding. As an example, terrorism threat from the Sahel region is of grave concern to both countries. CNA Strategic Studies reported that “There is evidence that AQIM has infiltrated the Sahrawi refugee camps in Tindouf, Algeria, as well as indications that Sahrawi from the camps have joined terrorist groups based in Mali.”
Yonah Alexander, Senior Fellow at Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, describes Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) as one of “three major terrorist groups (that) are particularly significant.”
Given the long standing exemplary relationship between the two countries and their converging interests, all efforts at strengthening and further deepening this strategic partnership will only be mutually beneficial.
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