Royal visit to Washington, new impetus to Morocco-US longstanding relations
Morocco-USA, Politics, 7/8/2004

The visit of Morocco's King Mohammed VI to the United States, starting this Wednesday, is expected to boost the longstanding relationships between Morocco and the United States as well as bilateral trade.

According to statistics of the US trade representatives' department, the United States exports to Morocco an average of USD 475 million-worth of goods and imports nearly USD 500 million from the country. Some 120 American companies are operating in Morocco. With a total investment of USD 600 million, they helped create 90,000 direct and indirect jobs.

The Free Trade Agreement signed between the two countries last June 15 will definitely help consolidate these economic ties.

In addition to its economic benefits for Morocco, the FTA, as Moroccan minister-delegate for foreign affairs and cooperation Taieb Fassi Fihri put it, constitutes a bridge between the United States and the Middle East, Europe and Africa. He noted that the deal will not only benefit Morocco but all countries with which the Kingdom has trade relations.

The FTA will immediately eliminate tariffs on more than 95 percent of bilateral trade in consumer and industrial products.

Besides the FTA, relations between the two countries were also marked this year by Washington's granting Morocco the status of "major non-NATO ally."

Several analysts consider this step a recognition from the US to the north African country's role in the region for the promotion of peace, stability and security.

In addition to Morocco, only a small number of countries benefited of this status since the creation of NATO. These are: Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, South Korea, Egypt, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, New Zealand, the Philippines and Thailand.

This move, said US president George W. Bush, was taken in appreciation of Morocco's "steadfast support in the global war on terror, and for King Mohammed VI's role as a visionary leader in the Arab world."

"Major non-Nato ally" means Morocco is joining an exclusive club of countries that enjoy a privileged security relationship with the United States. This status allows Morocco to participate in defense research and development programs, and benefit from a US government loan guarantee program.

Furthermore, Washington decided last year to give Morocco, starting from 2004, an aid of US $60 million to assist it in development programs and in its fight against terror.

The monarch's visit will thus further reinforce the two centuries-long relations binding Morocco and the United States. Indeed, The north African kingdom was among the first countries to recognize the US and give its ships the right to enter Moroccan ports.

The two had countries ratified the first Peace and Friendship Treaty in July 1787.

Previous Stories:
  King Mohammed due in Washington Wednesday   (7/7/2004)
  Moroccan city and Hollywood project twinning   (7/3/2004)
  Morocco, US FTA, an important signal, US official   (6/19/2004)
  Morocco signs Free Trade Agreement with U.S   (6/17/2004)
  Morocco's insistence on sovereignty over Sahara should be understood, US Congressman   (6/17/2004)
  Morocco-US FTA to be signed in June   (5/29/2004)

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