U.S. Defense Secretary Dr. Mark Esper and Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita signed the cooperation plan in Rabat, Morocco, on Friday as Esper toured Middle Eastern countries.
"Morocco is a country we have been friends with for many, many years, and I am confident that we will remain friends and strategic partners for generations to come," Esper said.
In listing cooperative defense initiatives, he noted a specific military training drill, Exercise African Lion. The annual exercise includes participants from across the African continent.
"It is a key training and exercise event for many, many years, not just between the United States and Morocco," Esper said.
Morocco, in North Africa, is regarded as a major ally of the United States, although not a NATO member.
While meeting with Bourita, Esper noted his full support for Moroccan force modernization initiatives and said the U.S. and Morocco will better face regional threats together, a Defense Department statement on Friday said.
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