Morocco was expected to expand cooperation with NATO in 2010, officials
said. They cited the prospect of Morocco's contribution to Operation Active
Endeavor, meant to foil insurgency threats in the Mediterranean. They said
the intelligence exchange with Brussels would also intensify, particularly
regarding the Al Qaida Organization in the Islamic Maghreb.
On Jan. 25, Bisogniero visited Morocco to discuss an expansion of
cooperation. During his visit, he met Interior Minister Jaeb Cherkaoui,
Chief of Staff Gen. Mohammed Ben Ani and key parliamentarians in a
discussion of such issues as counter-insurgency, particularly the Al Qaida
threat.
"There is significant collaboration in many fields," Bisogniero said.
During a NATO seminar in Rabat, Bisogniero cited areas of cooperation
between Morocco and the alliance. He identified them as strategic dialogue,
military training, counter-insurgency and crisis management.
Morocco has been a member of NATO's Mediterranean Dialogue since its
inception in 1994. Over the last two years, Rabat has worked with NATO in
maritime and other operations against Al Qaida and related Islamic
insurgents.
"Morocco is resolutely and pragmatically committed to promoting NATO's Mediterranean dialogue," Bisogniero said.
Officials said Rabat has also been contributing to NATO peacekeeping
missions, including those in Bosnia and Kosovo. They said Rabat was also
approached for help in NATO's stabilization campaign in Afghanistan.
"The new global challenges, such as proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction, piracy, energy supplies, terrorism and climate change, require
global defense strategies," Bisogniero said.
