U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed that the partnership between the United States and Morocco is "rooted in common interests for peace, security, and regional prosperity."

The spokesperson for the Department of State stated in a release following the talks held on Monday in Washington between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita, that "Secretary Blinken confirmed that the long-standing bilateral partnership is rooted in common interests for peace, security, and regional prosperity."

The same source added that the meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to review "a series of regional issues."

In a brief speech before the start of this meeting, the U.S. top diplomat praised the "strong and long-standing" partnership between the United States and Morocco, reiterating his country’s desire to strengthen it further.

He said, "We have a long-standing partnership with Morocco, and we want to strengthen and deepen it."

For his part, Nasser Bourita highlighted the historic and multi-dimensional relations linking the two countries, as well as the importance of further consolidating them in the face of common challenges, in line with the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates said, "We have a long-standing partnership, and it is time to enrich it further, enrich our strategic dialogue, our military cooperation, and defend our interests and values in the world."

On this occasion, Mr. Bourita also addressed a series of common challenges, including climate change, extremism, peace, and security, considering them as stakes "that give greater importance to this relationship."

On the other hand, on Monday, the United States renewed its support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative as a "serious, credible, and realistic" solution for the final resolution of the regional dispute over the Sahara.

The spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State said in a statement following the meeting held in Washington between Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates Mr. Nasser Bourita and his U.S. counterpart Antony Blinken, "We continue to consider the Moroccan autonomy plan as serious, credible, and realistic."

Furthermore, the two parties expressed, on the other hand, their "support" for the new Personal Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric, in his mission to lead the political process related to the Sahara, under the auspices of the United Nations.

During this meeting, focus was also placed on the "very important" trilateral agreement concluded between the United States, Morocco, and Israel, which enshrined U.S. recognition of the Kingdom’s full sovereignty over the Sahara.

In this regard, the spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State highlighted that Messrs. Bourita and Blinken "commemorated the first anniversary of the joint declaration between Morocco, Israel, and the United States, which falls on December 22," recalling that the bilateral partnership is "long-standing, rooted in common interests for peace, security, and regional prosperity."

The two sides also stressed the importance of "ongoing deepening" of Moroccan-Israeli relations.

Also, yesterday Monday in Washington, the reform agenda led by King Mohammed VI was highlighted during the talks held between Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates Mr. Nasser Bourita and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, Ned Price, said in a statement following this meeting that Messrs. Bourita and Blinken discussed "the new Moroccan government’s efforts to advance His Majesty the King’s reform agenda" in various fields, including strengthening human rights and fundamental freedoms, recalling the "fruitful dialogue" ongoing in this regard between the United States and the Kingdom.

The U.S. top diplomat, on this occasion, recalled the "strong and long-standing" partnership between Washington and Rabat, as well as the United States' desire to further strengthen it.

In a congratulatory message sent by the President of the United States to His Majesty King Mohammed VI on the occasion of the 66th anniversary of Independence Day, Mr. Joe Biden highlighted the historic relations between the two countries, adding that "our partnership, which dates back 235 years and began with the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between the United States and Morocco in 1786, has always demonstrated the importance and value of mutual respect and cooperation." The American President said in this message, "We look forward to deepening our shared commitments, investing in mutual prosperity, and building on this solid partnership," emphasizing that "our shared interest in peace, security, and stability in North Africa lays a strong foundation for continued cooperation and commitment."