Assahafa.com
As the United States prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of its independence, the American magazine “The Washington Diplomat” has highlighted Morocco’s unique place in US history, recalling that the country was the first country to recognize the newly formed American republic in 1777.
In an article titled “Freedom’s First Friend,” the Washington-based publication revisits the long-standing relationship between Morocco and the US, describing it as one of the oldest diplomatic partnerships in American history.
Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah opened Moroccan ports to American ships in December 1777, while the American War of Independence was still underway, the magazine recalled.
The move is considered one of the earliest international recognitions of the US and helped establish the young nation’s presence on the global stage.
The publication quoted Morocco’s ambassador to the United States, Youssef Amrani, as saying that the decision laid the foundation for a relationship that has endured for nearly 250 years.
Both countries have consistently chosen cooperation and trust throughout their shared history, it quoted the Moroccan diplomat as explaining.
A historical and enduring alliance
The magazine also recalled the context and significance of the 1786 Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Morocco and the United States.
The agreement was the first diplomatic treaty the US signed with an Arab, Muslim, or African nation. In its updated form, it remains the longest-standing unbroken treaty in US history.
According to the magazine, the treaty represents more than a historical document; it reflects a relationship that began before the US had fully established itself as a global power.
Looking at current ties between the two countries, the publication highlighted a Moroccan delegation’s visit to the United States in April, carried out under royal instructions.
The visit resulted in the signing of a new defense cooperation roadmap covering the period from 2026 to 2036.
The article also highlighted Morocco’s role in hosting the annual African Lion military exercise, the largest multinational military training operation organized in Africa by the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM).
This exercise reflects the depth of security cooperation between Rabat and Washington and their shared interest in regional stability, it concluded.
Source: Morocco word news
