Cooperation between Morocco and the United Arab Emirates in the field of defense, exchange of experience and the setting up of joint defense industry projects was discussed at meetings in Rabat Wednesday.

The first meeting gathered the Minister in charge of National Defense Administration Abdellatif Loudiyi and Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces Lieutenant General Hamad Mohammed Thani Al Rumaithi, North Africa Post reported.

Lieutenant General Rumaithi, who was on an official visit to the Kingdom at the head of a large delegation, met the same day with Lieutenant General, Belkheir El Farouk, Inspector General of FAR and Commander of the Southern Zone.

This meeting discussed various topics related to cooperation between the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR) and the UAE Armed Forces, including the operational component. The two officials welcomed the level of this cooperation, while reiterating their willingness to further strengthen it in accordance with the supreme will of the leaders of the two brotherly countries.

The two officials agreed on the strengthening of cooperation in military training, either in a bilateral or in a multilateral framework, through their participation in large-scale exercises, such as “African Lion”.

The cooperation between Royal Moroccan Armed Forces and the Emirati Armed Forces dates back to 1980, when the two countries signed their first military agreement. The deal was strengthened by the framework agreement signed in May 2006.

In another development, Major General Saleh Mohammed Saleh Al Ameri, Commander of Joint Operations at the UAE Ministry of Defence, visited Friday the Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Authority (CICPA) in Abu Dhabi, UAE national news agency WAM reported.

During his visit, Major General Al Ameri was briefed about the command’s duties and tasks. Al Ameri also lauded the command’s readiness and combat abilities.