Readout of PDO Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Anthony Tata's Meeting With Moroccan Minister for Administration of National Defense Abdellatif Loudiyi and Inspector General of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces Abdelfatah Louarak

Anthony Tata, performing the duties of (PDO) under secretary of defense for policy, met separately with Abdellatif Loudiyi, Morocco’s minister-delegate to the head of government in charge of the National Defense Administration and Abdelfatah Louarak, inspector general of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces, during a visit to Morocco January 12.  Mr. Tata also co-chaired the 11th U.S.-Morocco Defense Consultative Committee with General Louarak.  

During the Defense Consultative Committee, PDO USD(P) Tata and General Louarak signed the Bilateral Country Action Plan to implement the U.S.-Morocco Roadmap for Defense Cooperation signed during former Secretary Esper’s trip to Rabat in October 2020. The action plan focuses on enhancing Moroccan military capacity, deepening interoperability, boosting force readiness, and supporting Morocco’s role as a contributor to regional security.

PDO USD(P) Tata, Mr. Loudiyi and General Louarak affirmed both countries’ commitment to the strategic bilateral partnership to deter threats and address shared challenges.  They noted the enduring ties created over 244 years of partnership and pledged to work closely together to safeguard both countries’ national security interests.  

PDO USD(P) Tata specifically hailed the Moroccan military’s significant contributions to African and international stability and security under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.  He also highlighted Morocco’s participation in more than 100 military engagements with the United States yearly, its hosting of AFRICAN LION – the largest yearly U.S. military exercise in Africa, and Morocco’s role exporting security abroad.  

The U.S. Department of Defense will continue to execute its mission, including by reassuring allies and partners of our nation’s steadfast resolve, as we uphold our oath of office and the Constitution.