American Congressmen and Senators: Morocco is a historic ally and a reliable strategic partner of the United States

On the occasion of a gala evening held on Tuesday night at the US Congress, within the framework of the “Project Legacy Morocco” initiative, these American elected officials, Democrats and Republicans alike, paid tribute to the centuries old relations between the United States and Morocco, which find their origin in the historic decision of the Kingdom to become, in 1777, the first nation to recognise the independence of the young American Republic.

A very strong political act that today finds all its historical significance and diplomatic weight as the United States prepares to celebrate this year the 250th anniversary of its independence.

“Only 18 months after the Declaration of Independence, Morocco was the first country to recognise the newly independent American Republic, paving the way for the signing of the 1786 Treaty of Peace and Friendship, which is still in force today and which is the oldest uninterrupted treaty in the history of the United States,” said the Republican Congresswoman Mariannette Miller Meeks.

“Tangier still hosts the first American diplomatic property abroad, a lasting symbol of this unbreakable bond,” stressed the representative of the State of Iowa in Congress, noting that Morocco remains today the only African country to be bound by a free trade agreement with the United States and to be designated a major non NATO ally.

For his part, the Democratic Congressman Samford Bishop welcomed the fact that relations between the United States and Morocco are “almost as old as the American nation itself”, underlining that the centuries old friendship between the two countries has evolved and strengthened over the centuries.

The Kingdom of Morocco today constitutes a reliable and essential partner for America in several respects, affirmed the representative of the State of Georgia, expressing the wish to see the strategic partnership between Rabat and Washington continue to be strengthened in the mutual interest of both nations.

The same view was expressed by Congressman Jonathan Jackson, for whom the Moroccan American friendship has withstood the test of time and the geopolitical and ideological ups and downs the world has known over the past two and a half centuries, in the sense that this centuries old relationship continues to deepen over time.

“Today, at a time when we are facing several global challenges, we do not do so as strangers, but as long standing partners. Our task now is not only to celebrate history, but also to extend it, so as to ensure that the next 250 years are marked by peace, mutual respect and a shared commitment to human flourishing,” stressed the Democratic representative of Illinois.

For his part, the Republican Senator Tim Sheehy recalled that at a time when “the American nation was seeking to assert itself on the international stage, Morocco was one of the few countries to support it and recognise its legitimacy”.

“Today, and in these times of uncertainty, whether it is the war on terrorism or new threats, it is more important than ever to invest in our alliances and to remain firm in these relationships,” pleaded the young Senator from Montana.

The Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, for his part, insisted on the strategic importance of the Rabat Washington axis, noting the interest for the United States, which is commemorating this year the 250th anniversary of its independence, in also celebrating this special relationship with “our oldest diplomatic partner”, the Kingdom of Morocco.

Mr Kaine, also a former Governor of Virginia, affirmed that the relationship with Morocco remains “very important for the United States and will only continue to grow in importance”.

For his part, the Democratic Congressman Jimmy Panetta noted that after nearly 250 years, Morocco today remains one of America’s oldest allies “with which we maintain relations of very high quality at the diplomatic, military and economic levels”.

Editorial team/le7tv