NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow praised Morocco’s long-standing contribution to political dialogue and practical cooperation with NATO, during the first day of his first official visit to Rabat on 18 February 2016.
He underlined Morocco’s contribution to international security and stability, as a force of moderation and a voice of reason, in a fast changing and turbulent regional security environment.
Ambassador Vershbow held bilateral talks with Mr. Abdellatif Loudiyi, the Minister-Delegate for National Defence, with General Bouchaib Arroub, Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces of Morocco, and with Mr. Youssef Amrani, Minister Advisor to the King for International Relations.
In his bilateral meetings, Ambassador Vershbow stressed that the security of NATO member countries is closely linked to the security of its neighbours in the South, and thanked Morocco for facilitating the achievement of a political solution to the crisis in Libya.
On 19 February, the Deputy Secretary General will meet with Mr. Nasser Bourita, Minister-Delegate for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, and with other high level government officials. He will also give an address on NATO-Morocco Cooperation in the 21st century at a Public Diplomacy seminar in Rabat.
Ambassador Vershbow and his interlocutors will discuss NATO’s continued commitment to working with Morocco, in the framework of the Mediterranean Dialogue. Initiated in 1994, the Mediterranean Dialogue aims to contribute to regional security and stability through enhanced political consultations and tailor-made practical cooperation between NATO and its members: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia.
