Morocco-US-Israel Trilateral Agreement, ‘Diplomatic achievement’ – Blinken –

The agreement signed one year ago between Morocco, the United States and Israel is a “diplomatic achievement”, which has opened a new era of peace, stability, opportunities and understanding, said Wednesday the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The U.S. top diplomat was speaking in a video message broadcast on the occasion of the first anniversary of the trilateral agreement, at a video conference with the participation of the minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad, Nasser Bourita, the Israeli Foreign minister, Yaïr Lapid, and the Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. embassy in Morocco, David Greene. Blinken recalled that following the signing of the joint declaration, Morocco and Israel opened their airspaces, “for the first time in decades”, with nearly ten direct flights a week between the two countries. He also said that the two countries have signed several agreements on joint military exercises and strengthened economic relations, noting that a new Morocco-Israel Business Council helped setting up more than 30 partnerships in the sectors of technology, agriculture, water, textile, health and renewables. Discussions are underway to collaborate in desalination projects and set-up exchange students programs, he added, noting that the establishment of diplomatic ties also created greater opportunities for cultural connections among the one million Israelis of Moroccan heritage. “These steps aren’t positive only for Israel and Morocco, they’re also positive for the region as a whole,” Blinken pointed out. Through the resumption of their relations, Morocco and Israel show the way for other countries to discuss openly and constructively their common goals and points of disagreement, seize mutually beneficial opportunities and bring people together, he underlined.  “The United States is committed to supporting and expanding the Abraham Accords,” he stressed in this regard. “We’re grateful for your continued efforts to deepen and strengthen the bond between two great partners and friends of the United States, and we’re committed to continuing our work together to build a more peaceful and prosperous region,” Blinken said.