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Sunday, 2 May, 2021 - 05:30
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. AFP file photo Rabat - Asharq Al-Awsat
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken told Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in a phone call on Friday that the Biden administration would not reverse former president Donald Trump s recognition of Morocco s sovereignty over the Western Sahara, at least for the time being, two sources familiar with the call told Axios.
“The Secretary welcomed Morocco’s steps to improve relations with Israel and noted the Morocco-Israel relationship will bring long-term benefits for both countries,” according to a readout of the call from the State Department.
As stated by Spokesperson Ned Price:
Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita spoke today. Secretary Blinken noted the longstanding and mutually beneficial bilateral relationship founded on shared values and interests in regional peace, security, and prosperity. The Secretary welcomed Morocco’s steps to improve relations with Israel and noted the Morocco-Israel relationship will bring long-term benefits for both countries. They discussed opportunities to increase cooperation in Africa to promote economic prosperity and stability and the Secretary highlighted Morocco’s key role in fostering stability in the Sahel and Libya.
The Secretary and the Minister discussed King Mohammed VI’s far-reaching reforms over the past two decades, and the Secretary encouraged Morocco to continue implementing these reforms and to reaffirm its commitment to protecting and promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms.