Lieutenant General, FAR Inspector General Holds Talks with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs

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In execution of High Royal Instructions, the Lieutenant General, Inspector General of FAR and Commander of the South Zone, held, on Tuesday at the FAR General Staff headquarters, talks with the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs, Jennifer ZAKRISKI, accompanied by Major General Kenneth P. EKMAN, Director of Strategy, Engagement and Programs, U.S. Africa Command, and the U.S. Ambassador to Morocco, Puneet TALWAR. During the meeting, the two officials commended the excellent relations between the Royal Armed Forces and the US Armed Forces, which are reflected in the intense, frequent and regular cooperative activities, according to a statement by the FAR General Staff. While describing the long-standing relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the United States of America as “excellent” and “rooted in history”, the FAR Inspector General recalled, on this occasion, that these relations were initiated notably by the signing, in 1786, of the Moroccan-American Treaty of Peace and Friendship, the oldest treaty ever signed by the United States with a foreign country, which laid the foundations of an “age-old” and “historic” relationship. The meeting also provided an opportunity to exchange views on various aspects of military cooperation between the two armies, including the defense industry, the acquisition of materials and equipment with the necessary technical and logistical support, training and technology transfer, as well as the strengthening of bilateral cooperation in disaster management.  Discussions also focused on the FAR’s role in peacekeeping, in line with the High Royal Guidelines, as a leader and credible partner promoting regional peace, security and cooperation. Morocco-American bilateral military cooperation is governed by a set of Agreements and Arrangements, and forms part of the 2020-2030 Roadmap, aimed at establishing an exemplary strategic partnership capable of meeting security challenges. It covers in particular strategic dialogue, training, exercises, the Partnership Program with the Utah State National Guard, and financial and equipment support.