U.S. Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton said Morocco is making significant progress in strengthening its democracy.
On her remarks after her meeting with Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs Saad-Eddine Al-Othmani, Ms. Clinton commended Morocco for standing as a model of what can be achieved.
“Moroccans are strengthening their own democracy. Young people are having a say in their own future. His Majesty King Mohammed VI has begun the process of reform.” -Ms. Clinton
She notes that women’s rights are protected and expanded in Morocco, a more transparent and accountable government, establishing the Arab world’s very first truth commission on human rights.
She congratulates Minister, on behalf of her government, and His Majesty on the successful constitutional referendum and parliamentary elections that occurred during this momentous last year.
She stresses that the Moroccan constitution provides for an independent judiciary. She says it contains new protections for freedom of thought, expression, and other universal rights.
She reports Morocco now has more women in public office than any other Arab country. She adds that the percentage is as good as they have in the United States in terms of women’s representation in the parliament.
“But Morocco understands, as does the United States, that democratic reform takes constant effort and unending attention. It has to lead to the institutionalizing of democratic habits and practices, and of course to tangible improvements for the Moroccan people.” -Ms. Clinton
She highlighted that the United States stands with the government and people of Morocco as they continue this absolutely historic effort.
US-Morocco partnership and friendship goes back to 1777 when Morocco became the very first country to recognize our new nation.
United States and Morocco have been allies and partners ever since. Both countries collaborate on everything from trade and economic development to joint military exercises and counterterrorism efforts.
On March 2011, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton praised Morocco for advancing democratic reforms under His Majesty King Mohammed VI, and for advocating international efforts to protect civilians in Libya. She said Morocco is “well-positioned to lead” for democratic change during this “crucial moment in time for Morocco, the Maghreb, and the Middle East,” and endorsed Morocco’s autonomy plan as a “serious, realistic, and credible” approach to end the Western Sahara conflict.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton broke ground on the New Embassy Compound (NEC) in Rabat with Morocco Foreign Minister, Saad Eddine Othmani; Mayor of Rabat, Fathallah Oualalou; as well as Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey D. Feltman; and U.S. Ambassador to Morocco, Samuel L. Kaplan.
The embassy reportedly costs a $187 million.
