Sec. Pompeo’s Visit to Morocco: Enhancing Economic and Security Cooperation

Office of the Spokesperson
Department of State
Washington DC

December 5, 2019

Secretary Pompeo will travel to Morocco on December 5, where he will participate in a series of bilateral meetings with senior officials. The Secretary will reinforce the value of our partnership, the importance of our security, commercial, and development cooperation in achieving regional stability and countering the Iranian regime’s malign activities, and the impact of the United States’ support for Morocco’s efforts to grow its economy and increase employment, especially among Moroccan youth.

ADVANCING STRONG PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN AMERICA AND MOROCCO

• In 1777, Morocco was the first country to grant diplomatic recognition to the United States of America. That same year, Morocco opened its ports to the ships of the new American republic, allowing us to engage in trade and commerce and supporting our fight for freedom. Our friendship has endured. Together, we are focused on unlocking the potential of all our citizens to ensure the continued prosperity and security of both our countries.

• Morocco is also the only country in Africa with which we have a Free Trade Agreement. Since the pact entered into force in 2006, Moroccan exports to the United States have more than doubled and the value of our bilateral trade has grown five-fold.

• The United States and Morocco enjoy an economic development partnership, as highlighted in Special Advisor Trump’s recent trip to Morocco, which focused on Millennium Challenge Corporation and USAID efforts to promote gender equality in all aspects of the country’s growth. USAID’s strategy also includes countering violent extremism in high-risk urban and suburban areas in northern Morocco to reintegrate at-risk youth into their communities.

• Morocco is home to the oldest and largest Peace Corps program in the region, welcoming more than 5,000 Peace Corps Volunteers over the past 55 years. Today, almost 200 Peace Corps Volunteers work to strengthen the ties between our two nations while enhancing the life skills of Moroccan youth and encouraging volunteerism.

• The American Legation in Tangier is the oldest U.S. diplomatic property in the world and the only building outside the United States on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. In 2021, the Legation will celebrate its 200th anniversary as a U.S. diplomatic property.

SPURRING MOMENTUM ON THE REGION’S MOST CHALLENGING ISSUES

• Morocco remains a partner on a range of security issues. It participates in more than 100 military engagements with us yearly and is a partner in our International Military Education and Training program, and in the Defeat ISIS Coalition.

• Morocco also takes a leadership role in African security. It contributes more than 2,000 soldiers to UN peacekeeping operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Central African Republic and plays a key role in expanding regional security capabilities.

• Morocco is an ally in the Administration’s campaign to promote regional security and will host the Warsaw Process Counterterrorism Working Group in February 2020.

• Under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Morocco is essential to the global fight against terrorism. At U.S. request, Morocco is a co-chair of the Global Counterterrorism Forum, as well as chair of the Forum’s working group on foreign terrorist fighters. Our joint efforts on military cooperation, counterterrorism, and regional stability means the relationship – and foreign assistance funding – benefit Americans and Moroccans alike.

• Morocco is a recognized regional leader in promoting religious co-existence and interfaith dialogue. On October 3-4, in partnership with the United States, Morocco hosted the First Regional Conference on Cultural Heritage Protection for Religious Communities in support of the Potomac Declaration and freedom of religion.