Assahafa.com
His Majesty King Mohammed VI is a “valued leader and a friend of the United States,” said the newly appointed U.S. ambassador to Morocco, Duke Buchan III.
Speaking at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in Washington on Tuesday, the new ambassador emphasized that the Kingdom of Morocco is “a pillar of stability” and its strategic location “makes it critical to American national security.”
“Morocco has long been a key security counterpart, hosting AFRICOM’s largest joint military exercise, African Lion, and serving as a capable and reliable partner in combating terrorism, particularly in Africa,” said Duke Buchan III, whose nomination was announced in March by President Donald Trump.
“If confirmed, I will work to strengthen our long-standing security relationship as we confront common challenges,” Buchan assured before the Senate Committee, stressing that the Kingdom is one of the United State of America’s oldest partners.
“Our Treaty of Peace and Friendship dates back to 1786. For almost two hundred and forty years, our bilateral relationship has made Americans and Moroccans safer, stronger, and more prosperous,” he said.
He added that Morocco “is also a model economic partner,” noting that the U.S. and Morocco have a robust trade relationship.
In this respect, he called for the increasing of opportunities for U.S. businesses “throughout Morocco, where America can offer world-class technology to support Morocco’s ambitions to build its technology, transportation, agriculture and energy sectors.”
The new U.S. ambassador also recalled the country’s position, reiterated on April 8 by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara and supporting “Morocco’s serious, credible and realistic Autonomy Proposal as the only basis for a just and lasting solution to the dispute.”
He added that the head of U.S. diplomacy also reaffirmed President Trump’s urging for the parties to “engage in discussions without delay, using Morocco’s Autonomy Proposal as the only framework, to negotiate a mutually acceptable solution.”
In this regard, the new U.S. ambassador stated that “he will facilitate progress toward this goal.”
When announcing Duke Buchan III’s appointment as U.S. ambassador to Morocco last March, President Donald Trump emphasized that he “will play a key role as we strengthen peace, freedom, and prosperity for our two countries.”
Duke Buchan III previously served as U.S. Ambassador to Spain and Andorra (2017-2021).
Born in North Carolina in 1963, he has had a long career in the world of investment and finance.
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