WASHINGTON, Nov 23 (KUNA) — US President Barack Obama held a meeting here with King Mohammed VI of Morocco during which they reaffirmed strength of their bilateral relationship and discussed their partnership in areas such as trade and education.
A joint statement released following the talks, held late on Friday, indicated that the two leaders also tackled Moroccos proposed democratic reforms as well as the sovereignty of the people of the Western Sahara.
Obama praised the Kings efforts in deepening democracy and promoting economic progress and human development during the past decade in Morocco, and reiterated his commitment to explore ways in which the United States can help strengthen Moroccos democratic institutions, civil society, and inclusive governance.
Obama also acknowledged the Kings “leadership and the actions carried out by Morocco in the field of peace keeping, conflict prevention, human development, and the preservation of cultural and religious identity.” “The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the UN human rights system and its important role in protecting and promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms, and committed to deepening the ongoing US-Morocco dialogue on human rights, which has been a productive and valuable mechanism for the exchange of views and information,” the joint statement affirmed.
Meanwhile, Obama “pledged to continue to support efforts to find a peaceful, sustainable, mutually agreed-upon solution to the Western Sahara question,” affirming continued support of the negotiations carried out by the United Nations, including the work of the UN Secretary-Generals Personal Envoy Ambassador Christopher Ross “and urge the parties to work toward a resolution.” The US has made clear that Moroccos autonomy plan “is serious, realistic, and credible, and that it represents a potential approach that could satisfy the aspirations of the people in the Western Sahara to run their own affairs in peace and dignity.” The leaders also noted “their partnership on the United Nations Security Council over the past two years in the advancement of international peace and security, including in Mali, the Sahel, Syria, Libya, and the Middle East.” They reaffirmed their “commitment to continue to deepen civilian and military cooperation in the areas of non-proliferation and counter-terrorism.” “To address their deep concern for the continuing threat posed by terrorism, the United States and Morocco intend to continue cooperation to bolster democratic criminal justice institutions and to counter the threat of violent extremism in the region,” according to the joint statement.
In addition, the joint statement indicated that building on the December 2012 US-Morocco Business Development Conference held in Washington, DC, a second such Conference is expected to be held in Rabat in 2014. King Mohammed also offered to host the 2014 Global Entrepreneurship Summit. (end) si.gta KUNA 230933 Nov 13NNNN
