Saturday, in conjunction with a port visit by Standing NATO Mine Counter-Measures Group TWO (SNMCMG2), Chief of Staff, NATO Allied Maritime Command, Rear Admiral Giorgio Lazio met with Vice Admiral Mohamed Laghmari, Inspector of the Royal Moroccan Navy, and his staff to discuss numerous issues of shared importance.
Morocco stands as a privileged partner of NATO for its participation in the Mediterranean Dialogue and NATO’s counter-terrorism Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR.
Taking advantage of an operational brief received by the Royal Moroccan Navy Staff, the two officers had the opportunity to stress again how necessary it is to cooperate in order to face emerging security challenges in the Mediterranean area, and agreed that possible actions to enhance the current common effort in ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR could include visits of Royal Moroccan Navy officers on board NATO ships and at HQ MARCOM in Northwood, UK.
MARCOM and the Royal Moroccan Navy are also exploring additional opportunities for training and exercises to improve interoperability and strengthen relationships among the naval forces.
“Vice Admiral Laghmari and his staff were very gracious hosts during our visit, and our frank and open discussions provided valuable insight into our common interests in the maritime domain,” said Rear Admiral Lazio. “We are striving to enhance our partnership with the Royal Moroccan Navy and our partners in the Mediterranean Dialogue, and this visit provided a unique opportunity to identify pragmatic steps toward achieving that goal.”