Washington: Under the visionary leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Morocco has emerged as a proven and “indispensable” model for reform, development, and coexistence in the region and beyond, U.S. Representative Joe Wilson said Thursday in Washington.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the Republican lawmaker praised the dedication of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to constitutional reforms, modernization, the advancement of the rights of women, and the promotion of religious tolerance among Christians, Jews, and Muslims. These efforts have guided Morocco’s progress and reinforced its position as a regional model.

Wilson emphasized the King’s commitment to sustainable development and economic opportunity, which has advanced the well-being of the Moroccan people and positioned the Kingdom as a leader across North Africa and the broader Mediterranean region.

The U.S. lawmaker highlighted the strategic relations between Morocco and the United States, recalling that Morocco was the first nation to recognize the independence of the United States in 1777. He noted that the formal diplomatic ties were strengthened through the 1786 Treaty of Peace and Friendship, marking the foundation of the longest unbroken diplomatic relationship in U.S. history.

Congressman Wilson pointed out that Morocco remains a stable partner in North Africa and a trusted ally of America. He also noted that since the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement, economic ties have flourished, with bilateral trade in goods and services nearing $10 billion annually, supporting jobs in both countries.

The first international edition of the MAP Town Hall in Washington arrives at a time when the historic relations between Morocco and the United States are gaining renewed strategic momentum. The event featured a variety of political, diplomatic, academic, cultural, and media figures, as well as representatives from American think tanks, to explore the strategic alliance between Rabat and Washington.