American Congress Members: Morocco is a Historic Ally
Several members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate praised the historical friendship and strategic partnership between Morocco and the United States, which has made the Kingdom a reliable and indispensable ally for America for nearly 250 years.
During a ceremony held Tuesday evening in the U.S. Capitol as part of the “Morocco Heritage Project,” these elected officials from both the Democratic and Republican parties took the opportunity to celebrate the longstanding relations between the United States and Morocco, which trace their roots back to Morocco’s historic decision in 1777, when it became the first country to recognize the independence of the young American republic.
The significance of this politically meaningful decision is highlighted today, as the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary of independence this year.
In this context, Republican Congressman Mariannette Miller-Meeks expressed her pride, stating, “Just 18 months after declaring independence, Morocco was the first country to recognize the modern American republic, paving the way for the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship in 1786, which remains in effect today and is the longest-standing unbroken treaty in U.S. history.”
She mentioned that the city of Tangier still houses the first American diplomatic building outside the United States, viewing it as a permanent symbol of this strong relationship. She pointed out that Morocco is the only African country with a free trade agreement with the United States and has also been designated as a major non-NATO ally.
Democratic Congressman Sanford Bishop expressed his happiness, noting that the ties between the United States and Morocco “are almost as old as the history of the American nation itself,” emphasizing that this ancient friendship has developed and strengthened over the centuries.
Representative from Georgia asserted that Morocco is today a trusted and critical partner for the United States on multiple levels, expressing hope that this strategic cooperation between Rabat and Washington will continue to serve the mutual interests of both countries.
Representative Jonathan Jackson stressed that Moroccan-American friendship has withstood the test of time and geopolitical and ideological fluctuations that the world has experienced over the past two and a half centuries, considering this enduring relationship as increasingly solidified over time.
The Democratic Congressman from Illinois remarked, “Today, as we face numerous global challenges, we do so not as strangers to each other, but as longstanding partners. Our mission is not only to celebrate the past but to extend it, ensuring that the next 250 years are marked by peace, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to achieving human prosperity.”
Republican Senator Tim Sheehy mentioned that during a period when the United States was striving to establish its position on the international stage, Morocco was among the few countries that provided support and recognized its legitimacy.
The young senator from Montana added, “Today, in an atmosphere of uncertainty—whether regarding the war on terrorism or new threats—investing in our alliances and maintaining these relationships becomes more important than ever.”
Democratic Senator Tim Kaine emphasized the strategic importance of the Rabat-Washington axis, considering that the United States’ celebration of the 250th anniversary of its independence also serves as an occasion to honor this special relationship with “our oldest diplomatic partner,” which is the Kingdom of Morocco.
Kaine, a former governor of Virginia, reaffirmed that the relationship with Morocco remains “of utmost importance to the United States and will only grow in significance in the future.”
For his part, Democratic Congressman Jimmy Panetta noted that nearly 250 years later, Morocco is still one of the oldest allies of the United States, stating, “We enjoy excellent relations at diplomatic, military, and economic levels.”
