SECRETARY CLINTON: I am delighted to welcome the Moroccan foreign
minister here. I was recently in Morocco, where we had an excellent set
of consultations. The bilateral relationship between Morocco and the
United States, which goes back to the very beginning of our country, is a
strong and durable one.
And today, the minister and I will continue our discussion as to how
we can work together even more on strengthening the Moroccan economy, on
expanding our cooperation, on security, on other important issues, as
well as discussing regional and global matters. Morocco has shown great
leadership at the United Nations Security Council.
And Minister, again, it is for me both a personal pleasure and an honor to welcome you here at the State Department.
FOREIGN MINISTER AL-OTHMANI: Thank you very much. (Via
interpreter.) I’m very pleased to be here today to consolidate relations
between the two countries, which are strong to begin with. We are keen
for Morocco to play its role at the regional and international level in
the coming period.
And we are interested in developing political and economic relations
with the U.S. in the upcoming period. And as a non-permanent member of
the Security Council, we will do our utmost best to ensure that peace
and security prevail not just in North Africa, but in the region and the
world as a whole.
And I would like to thank the Secretary for her welcome here and also
for the visit that she gave to our country. And you’re most welcome
once more in Morocco.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you so much, Minister. (Laughter.) Thank you all.
