Assahafa.com
The U.S. Congress celebrated on Tuesday evening the strategic partnership between Morocco and the United States, which is rooted in the oldest and deepest diplomatic relations maintained by Washington with its partners around the world.
For one evening, the U.S. Congress, which stands out as the temple of American democracy, the bastion of the nation’s political memory, and the antechamber of the most important diplomatic decisions that shape the world, turned its attention to Morocco.
The entire political elite of the U.S. capital gathered in the opulent Kennedy Caucus Room for a rare honor bestowed by the U.S. Congress on a foreign partner.
As part of the “Project Legacy Morocco” initiative, the event brought together more than 200 guests, including political dignitaries, senators, congressmen, senior military officials, diplomats, and representatives of the Moroccan community across the United States.
This high-level presence reflects the unanimous support enjoyed by the Kingdom of Morocco among American policymakers, and underscores the exceptional partnership between Rabat and Washington, which has become a model of effective relations structured around a clear vision and constant commitment.
During the meeting, several Republican and Democratic senators and congressmen praised the long-standing friendship and special ties between the United States and Morocco, which date back to 1777, when the Kingdom became the first nation to recognize the independence of the young American Republic.
In this regard, Republican Senator Tim Sheehy recalled that at a time when “the American nation was seeking to establish itself on the international stage, Morocco was one of the few countries to support it and recognize its legitimacy.”
“Today, in these uncertain times, whether it be the war on terrorism or new threats, it is more important than ever to invest in our alliances and remain steadfast in these relationships,” argued the young senator from Montana.
For his part, Democratic Senator Tim Kaine emphasized the strategic importance of the Rabat-Washington axis, noting the interest for the United States, which is commemorating the 250th anniversary of its independence this year, in also celebrating this special relationship with “our oldest diplomatic partner,” the Kingdom of Morocco.
Mr. Kaine, also a former governor of Virginia, said that the relationship with Morocco remains “very important to the United States and will only grow in importance.”
Democratic Congressman Jimmy Panetta similarly noted that nearly 250 years later, Morocco remains one of America’s oldest allies, “with whom we maintain high-quality relations at the diplomatic, military, and economic levels.” He also pointed out that the Kingdom of Morocco remains the only country on the African continent to have a free trade agreement with the United States.
In turn, Morocco’s ambassador to Washington, Youssef Amrani, stressed that thanks to the choices and vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, “it is now possible to celebrate not only the countless achievements of a strategic partnership rooted in history, but also the ambitious prospects for a unique relationship of friendship and trust.”
“Nearly 250 years of diplomatic relations cannot be improvised: they are carefully built, strengthened, and preserved, reflecting above all a commitment that has never wavered, a friendship that has never faltered, and a vision that has consistently emphasized loyalty, understanding, and respect,” Ambassador Amrani remarked.
Mr. Amrani thus recalled that for Morocco, the strategic partnership with the United States is “the natural extension of an irreversible choice that has been constantly enriched, enhanced, and structured by the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and that of his august predecessors, from the late His Majesty King Hassan II to Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah, the founding father of this diplomatic legacy.”
“Our two countries know each other deeply, understand each other excellently, and support each other sustainably, promoting constant dialogue that is not influenced by current circumstances or narrow interests,” Mr. Amrani observed.
This level of understanding, as the ambassador pointed out, has made it possible to achieve advanced levels of convergence on the most fundamental issues for both Morocco and the United States. The U.S. recognition of the Kingdom’s sovereignty over its southern provinces is a clear illustration of this, he said.
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