The below is attributable to Spokesperson Heather Nauert:

Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan met today with Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Nasser Bourita. The Deputy Secretary thanked the Foreign Minister for the longstanding strategic partnership between the United States and Morocco. The two discussed a wide range of political, economic, and security issues, including advancing regional stability, expanding bilateral trade opportunities, and promoting ongoing initiatives on religious tolerance.

Deputy Secretary Sullivan and Foreign Minister Bourita discussed continuing our bilateral dialogue and a broad array of cooperative efforts, including meetings this year of the Strategic Energy Working Group and the Defense Consultative Committee. The Deputy Secretary thanked the Foreign Minister and the Moroccan government for its important role in countering terrorism and violent extremism. Deputy Secretary Sullivan also thanked Morocco for co-hosting this week, a coordination meeting of the Global Counterterrorism Forum’s Initiative to Address Homegrown Terrorism and a political directors’ meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.

Deputy Secretary Sullivan and Foreign Minister Bourita also discussed opportunities to strengthen trade and investment ties between the United States and Morocco, building on the bilateral Free Trade Agreement. The Deputy Secretary expressed U.S. interest in advancing UN-led efforts to find a peaceful, sustainable, and mutually acceptable political solution to the long-standing dispute over the Western Sahara. Deputy Secretary Sullivan also emphasized that Morocco’s autonomy plan is serious, realistic, and credible, and that it represents one potential approach that could satisfy the aspirations of the people in the Western Sahara to run their own affairs in peace and dignity.

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This week’s World Gas Conference in Washington, DC, reinforced the fundamental importance of countries and regions employing a diverse matrix of fuels, source countries and delivery routes to enhance their energy security. Over the last week, U.S. officials underscored the strong U.S. opposition to Russian-led pipelines like Nord Stream 2 and the second line of TurkStream that would exacerbate Europe’s dependence on Russian-sourced energy. By contrast, the United States commends the historic progress being made on the Southern Gas Corridor in Azerbaijan and Turkey, which could bring Caspian gas from Azerbaijan to countries across Europe by 2020. We also welcome Poland’s announcement earlier this week at the Conference on signing 20-year agreements to import U.S. liquefied natural gas starting in 2022.

In addition to these exciting developments, the United States reaffirms its support for energy projects that enhance energy diversification and energy security for our allies and partners worldwide. We see great promise in the floating storage and regasification unit at Krk Island in Croatia and urge all stakeholders to work together to make it a success. In addition, Black Sea gas from Romania represents a promising yet untapped source of energy that would strengthen energy markets and energy security throughout the region. We are closely watching developments as Romania’s parliament and government work out the legislation that will establish the stable fiscal and regulatory framework required for energy companies to invest in the development of this resource. Diverse sources and delivery routes ensure that energy is available at the best price to all and that no supplier can use energy to economically or politically coerce consumers.

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The following is a joint statement issued by the Governments of the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Norway.

The members of the Troika (Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States) commend the Intergovernmental Authority on Development’s (IGAD) efforts to drive forward the South Sudan peace process, and take note of the Khartoum Declaration of Agreement Between Parties of the Conflict of South Sudan agreed between President Salva Kiir, Dr. Riek Machar, and other opposition parties in Khartoum on June 27. We welcome the Government of Sudan’s role in hosting the latest round of discussions.

We hope that the principles outlined in the declaration will help to build confidence between the parties and guide the difficult discussions that must follow to reach a credible and comprehensive wider agreement.

While we welcome the renewed commitment to a ceasefire, all sides must stop fighting now—that is the only secure foundation upon which any agreement can be built. The effects of the renewed commitment to a permanent ceasefire must be seen on the ground. It must allow the return of South Sudan’s refugees and displaced people, and the safe delivery of humanitarian assistance. It must lead to improved security for communities and an end to the horrendous abuses endured by civilians at the hands of security forces. “Self-monitoring” will not be sufficient to assess adherence to the ceasefire. The Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) must continue to play a central role, with full access throughout the country and support in publishing timely reports.

The new ceasefire does not negate the need to respond to the continued and repeated serious violations by all sides of the December 2017 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA). We will continue to seek measures at the UN Security Council to return the region to peace and security, including consequences for spoilers to the peace process. The International Community therefore stands ready to support action by IGAD and the African Union to signal an end to impunity by delivering punitive measures against those responsible.

The parties must work to solidify this agreement. They need robust security and enforcement mechanisms, inclusion of a wide range of constituencies, and clear limits to executive power. There is a need for specific and realistic benchmarks throughout the transitional period, which lead to free and fair elections that allow for a peaceful transition in leadership in the most expeditious and responsible manner. The international community will encourage any oil arrangement to include transparency and accountability and ensure that new oil revenues directly benefit the South Sudanese people, rather than fuel more conflict.

All this will be critical to ensure that the failures of past agreements are not repeated and the confidence of international donors is secured.

We appreciate IGAD’s ongoing efforts and look forward to further progress in the next phase of talks.

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The following is attributable to Spokesperson Heather Nauert:

Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan met today with Head of Government of Morocco Saadeddine El Othmani. Deputy Secretary Sullivan reaffirmed the United States’ long-standing friendship with Morocco and discussed ways to improve strategic cooperation, particularly in the areas of trade and investment, regional security, and counter-terror priorities.

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DEPUTY SECRETARY SULLIVAN: Good afternoon. I am delighted to be here in Rabat, honored to stand here with my dear friend and esteemed colleague His Excellency Foreign Minister Bourita. I thank him for his kind hospitality. It’s been a very busy week for the Moroccan government, for the Foreign Ministry. He has been a most gracious host. And for that I am most welcome.

Morocco remains one of our oldest and closest allies anywhere in the world – evidenced by our Treaty of Peace and Friendship, negotiated in 1786, the longest unbroken treaty relationship in United States history. We look forward to growing our strong friendship for the next 242 years and beyond.

Today, Morocco is a key partner to the United States in our counterterrorism efforts, a Major Non-NATO Ally, and a pivotal player in the issues confronting the broader Middle East and North Africa region today.

Morocco has taken an active role in advancing key international efforts, through the Global Counter Terrorism Forum and just this week by hosting a meeting of the Defeat-ISIS Coalition, Morocco is yet again demonstrating its regional leadership in security.

Our close cooperation is reflected not only through annual exercises like African Lion, but also in Morocco’s choice to use U.S. F-16s and M1-Abrams tanks and training to improve interoperability with U.S. forces.

Yet our strategic relationship goes far beyond counterterrorism. The United States consults closely with the Moroccan government on issues of common interest, including regional security, energy diversification, sustainable development, and the promotion of educational and cultural opportunities. Morocco is also the only country in Africa with which the United States has a Free Trade Agreement, more than doubling Moroccan imports to the United States and increasing trade between our countries by 300 percent since the adoption of the agreement in 2006.

Morocco demonstrates its leadership in many ways including through its embrace of people and influences from other cultures, its promotion of religious tolerance, and its focus on youth empowerment. By working together and promoting our shared values, we are unlocking the potential of all our citizens in ensuring the continued prosperity of both our great countries.

The United States is committed to deepening and strengthening our ties with the people of Morocco through our trade relationship, through cultural exchange, and through government-to-government relations.

The U.S.-Morocco Partnership, has endured for almost two and a half centuries, our ties are strong and our relationship continues to thrive. I know the president values very much his relationship with His Royal Highness and our government ministers work very well together.

I look forward to continuing our sustained cooperation, and to growing our alliance even stronger in the years ahead.

Thank you – I am now happy to join Foreign Minister Bourita in answering your questions.

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