Israel and Morocco have agreed to upgrade diplomatic ties by opening embassies and appointing ambassadors, following talks between their foreign ministers in New York.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita met on Wednesday in discussions hosted by Mike Waltz, the United States ambassador to the United Nations.
The ministers also agreed to strengthen economic and trade relations. They plan to complete agreements by the end of this year covering investment protection and the prevention of double taxation.
A joint statement issued by the US mission to the UN on behalf of the three countries said: “The establishment of full diplomatic, peaceful and friendly relations between Morocco and Israel is in the common interest of both countries and will advance the cause of peace.”
Israel and Morocco to restore direct flights
The agreement includes plans to expand air travel and reinstate direct flights operated by carriers from both countries. Israel and Morocco also confirmed that high-level bilateral visits would take place in the coming months.
The announcement came a day after the sixth anniversary of the Abraham Accords, a US-backed initiative launched during Donald Trump’s first term to normalise relations between Israel and Arab and Muslim-majority countries.
The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan and Kazakhstan have joined the accords.
