(Ecofin Agency) - Israel initiated last year, under the leadership of former U.S. President Donald Trump, a strategy to normalize its relations with Arab countries. As part of this process, the Hebrew state had inaugurated, a few months ago, a first commercial flight with Morocco.

Israel reached a security cooperation agreement with Morocco. The document was signed this week between Benny Gantz, Israeli Minister of Defense, and his Moroccan counterpart Abdellatif Loudiyi in Rabat.

The agreement formalizes both countries’ partnership in military cooperation. According to Benny Gantz, it concerns "the regulation of cooperation in intelligence, the sale of security equipment, joint training and strengthening close ties between the defence industries" of the two countries. This new historic phase in the rapprochement between Tel Aviv and Rabat is in line with the "Abraham Accords", negotiated with the help of former U.S. President Donald Trump. Morocco, which had then obtained the support of Washington for the recognition of its full sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara had undertaken to normalize its relations with the Hebrew state. 

"I thank King Mohammed VI and the Minister of Defense for their work in developing relations between the two countries. We have reached a historic milestone today," said Minister Gantz on Twitter. Several joint projects have been announced between the two countries, since the beginning of their diplomatic rapprochement. Last July, they signed a cyber-defence deal. A month later, a partnership was announced by the Israeli company Ratio Petroleum with Rabat for the exploration of hydrocarbons off Dakhla, in Western Sahara.

Dorcas Loba (intern)