DR ‹ › On Thursday in Tangier, discussions marking 250 years of Moroccan-American friendship brought together diplomats, academics, and civil society figures to reflect on one of the oldest diplomatic relationships in U.S. history. Organized by the Moroccan-American Commission for Educational and Cultural Exchange (MACECE), in partnership with the Tangier American Legation Institute for Moroccan Studies (TALIM) and the U.S. Mission to Morocco, the event was held on January 22 at the historic Tangier American Legation, the oldest U.S. diplomatic property in the world. The discussions revisited Morocco's historic role as the first country to recognize U.S. independence in 1777 and examined how bilateral relations have evolved to encompass cooperation in diplomacy, security, trade, scientific research, and technological innovation. Speakers emphasized the enduring trust between the two countries and highlighted the central role of security cooperation in addressing shared regional and global challenges. Participants also stressed the importance of people-to-people ties in sustaining the partnership, with particular attention given to the Fulbright Program, which will celebrate its 80th anniversary in 2026. Educational and cultural exchanges were presented as key pillars in renewing Moroccan-American relations across generations. The moderated discussion featured Fulbright alumni and officials, including Karim Bejjit, Nick Barnett of the U.S. Mission to Morocco, and Chaker El Amrani, before concluding with a networking reception that brought together academics, policymakers, civil society representatives, and alumni.
