The American Legation in Tangier has joined the National Trust for Historic Preservation's annual list of the eleven most endangered historic sites in America. This inclusion was celebrated, Wednesday, in Washington D.C., according to a press release sent to Yabiladi by Morocco's embassy in the United States. The ceremony, held at the State Department, was attended by the U.S. Under Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma and Moroccan Ambassador to the United States Youssef Amrani. During this ceremony, Verma highlighted the American Legation as a symbol of the longstanding ties between the United States and Morocco, adding that the move will mobilize the necessary funding for its preservation for future generations of Americans, Moroccans, and visitors from around the world. «To this day, we continue to share the longest uninterrupted treaty of friendship with the United States, and our alliance continues to strengthen over time, thanks to the leadership and unwavering commitment to strategic partnership expressed at the highest level by His Majesty King Mohammed VI», stated the ambassador. This site is «an institution that not only reflects the depth of our rich history but also continues to actively contribute to the vibrant cultural scene in Tangier's ancient medina», noted Amrani. For her part, Director of the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation Andrea Cochrane Tracey announced a $10 million fundraising initiative for the restoration and preservation of the American Legation in Tangier, recalling that Morocco was the first country to recognize the United States' independence in 1777. President and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation - a leading American heritage protection organization - Carol Quillen remarked that the site reflects the deep bonds that exist between the United States and Morocco. Gifted by Moroccan Sultan Moulay Slimane to the U.S. government in 1821, the building housing the American Legation in Tangier is located in the heart of Tangier's ancient medina. The historic site witnessed the negotiation of the Treaty of Cape Spartel, one of the first international conventions signed by the United States, as well as agreements concluded with Morocco to facilitate navigation and trade.
