At the conclusion of the first visit by an Israeli-American delegation
Signing of a declaration of cooperation between the United States, Morocco and Israel
The Moroccan and Israeli sides during the signing of the agreement.
A.F.B.
The United States, Morocco and Israel signed yesterday in Rabat a tripartite declaration, confirming cooperation in several areas, at the end of the first visit by an Israeli-American delegation to the Kingdom since it announced the resumption of its relations with Israel through American mediation.
The announcement, read by the Moroccan Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita, confirmed the authorization of direct flights between Morocco and Israel, and the "immediate resumption of full and fraternal contacts" between officials of the two countries.
It also stipulated the encouragement of "and continued cooperation" in several economic fields, with the signing of four agreements between Morocco and Israel concerning civil aviation, water management, diplomatic visas, and encouraging investment and trade between the two countries.
In parallel, Morocco and the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding on US financial and technical support worth three billion dollars for projects in Morocco and sub-Saharan Africa in coordination with Moroccan partners.
On December 10, Morocco announced the resumption of its relations with Israel, and following this announcement, the first direct commercial flight from Israel arrived at Rabat-Salé airport on Tuesday afternoon, carrying an American-Israeli delegation headed by Trump's advisor and son-in-law Jared Kushner, and the special advisor to the Israeli Prime Minister, Meir Ben. Shabat.
The US and Israeli officials, and the head of the Moroccan government, Saad Eddin El Othmani, signed the tripartite declaration after a meeting with King Mohammed VI.
During the meeting, the latter reiterated Morocco's "firm stance on the Palestinian issue, which is based on the two-state solution," stressing that negotiations are the only way to reach a settlement, according to a statement by the royal court.
The statement also referred to "the commitment of His Majesty the King, Chairman of the Jerusalem Committee, to preserve the Islamic character of the Holy City."
For his part, Bin Shabat said after reading the joint declaration at the Hospitality Palace in Rabat, "There is no limit to the cooperation that we can start. We will change the region for the benefit of our peoples and the peoples of the neighborhood."
Speaking in Moroccan colloquial, he expressed his great happiness with this "historical trip," noting that his parents and brothers were born in Morocco before they left for Israel.
On the other hand, the tripartite declaration affirmed the "appreciation" of the American recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, and the United States' intention to open a consulate in the city of Dakhla "in order to enhance economic and investment opportunities for the benefit of the region."
Kouchner said after reading the text of the declaration: "By recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, President Trump expresses his rejection of the continuation of the status quo, which no party benefits from, paving the way for a lasting solution that enjoys mutual acceptance."
He added, "All American administrations since the Clinton era have supported the autonomy plan" proposed by Morocco to resolve the conflict, while the Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, demands the independence of Western Sahara.
The Israeli-American delegation was received at Rabat-Salé airport, two local officials in the capital and the US ambassador to Morocco.
• Morocco and the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding on US financial and technical support worth $ 3 billion.
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