Recognizing the longstanding friendship between the Kingdom of Morocco and the United States of America.
This House Resolution (H. Res. 251) expresses formal recognition of the long-standing friendship between the United States and the Kingdom of Morocco. It highlights historical milestones—including Morocco’s early recognition of the United States in 1777, the Treaty of Peace and Friendship (the Treaty of Marrakech) ratified in 1787, and the Tangier American Legation gift in 1821—and underscores Morocco’s ongoing contributions to religious tolerance, regional security, trade, and cultural exchange. The resolution is a symbolic, non-binding statement designed to celebrate the alliance and encourage continued collaboration in areas such as trade, security, digital transformation, and humanitarian efforts in preparation for the 250th anniversary of Morocco’s recognition of the United States in 2027. As a resolution, it does not create policy or impose new legal obligations. Instead, it signals congressional support for deepening U.S.-Morocco ties, notes shared interests and challenges, and calls for commemorations and ongoing cooperation across diplomacy, defense, trade, and people-to-people programs.
Key Points
- 1Recognizes that December 1, 2027, will mark the 250th anniversary of Morocco recognizing the United States, highlighting a long, historic diplomatic relationship.
- 2Recounts foundational milestones: Morocco’s 1777 recognition of the United States, 1780 diplomatic correspondence, and the 1787 Treaty of Peace and Friendship (Treaty of Marrakech), noted as the longest unbroken U.S. diplomatic relationship.
- 3Acknowledges the Tangier American Legation gift (1821) as a symbol of enduring U.S.-Morocco friendship.
- 4Emphasizes Morocco’s history of religious coexistence and its contributions to interfaith dialogue and Holocaust education, along with the role of Moroccan-American communities in American society.
- 5Highlights a multifaceted U.S.-Morocco partnership: strategic, economic, and cultural ties; Morocco’s status as the United States’ only African country with a Free Trade Agreement (since 2006) and growing bilateral agricultural trade.
- 6Details security cooperation, including counterterrorism, military coordination, and joint exercises (e.g., African Lion), plus collaboration on nuclear nonproliferation and countering illicit arms trafficking.
- 7Notes Morocco’s role as a signatory to the Abraham Accords and its engagement in regional diplomacy to promote stability.
- 8Describes ongoing cultural, educational, and humanitarian cooperation (Peace Corps, disaster management training, joint health initiatives, and other humanitarian efforts).
- 9Directs continued U.S.-Morocco cooperation in trade, security, digital transformation, and humanitarian areas, with an aim to commemorate the milestone in 2027 and acknowledge opportunities and challenges in the partnership.