Israel Defence Minister embarks on 'historic' trip to Morocco
Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz has embarked on “an important and historic visit” to Morocco, that would “formalise” security cooperation with the North African kingdom…reports Asian Lite News
In a statement issued ahead of his departure on Tuesday, Gantz described the two-day trip as “an important historic visit,” saying the trip marks “the first official visit by an Israeli defence chief to Morocco”, reports Xinhua news agency.
“We will sign cooperation agreements and continue to strengthen ties between the countries.” he added.
Israel Defence Minister embarks on ‘historic’ trip to Morocco
Gantz is expected to meet the Moroccan Defense Minister and Foreign Minister.
The visit comes less than one year after Morocco normalised ties with Israel under a US-brokered deal.
Israel has lifted an official travel warning for trips to Morocco which has been in effect for the past 10 years…reports Asian Lite News
“It has been decided to cancel the travel warning for Morocco that has been in place for over a decade,” Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s office said in a statement.
The move came following a recommendation by the National Security Council to cancel the official warning, reports Xinhua news agency.
Israel lifts official travel warning to Morocco
“This decision was made in light of an assessment of the situation according to which the estimated threat level in Morocco has declined,” the office said.
However, the office recommended Israelis to “continue showing increased alert” while travelling in Morocco.
The shift came as ties between the two counties have been warming up in the wake of the signing of the US-brokered normalization deal in December 2020.
Moroccan foils attempt to struggle 1,355kg cocaine
Moroccan authorities foiled an attempt to smuggle 1,355 kg of cocaine transiting from South America to Europe…reports Asian Lite News
The operation occurred on Monday at Tanger Med port, and the large quantity of cocaine was found concealed in a cargo ship, which had departed from a Brazilian port and was heading to the ports of Antwerp and Portbury, it quoted a statement by the Moroccan police, Xinhua news agency reported.
Moroccan foils attempt to struggle 1,355kg cocaine
This security operation is part of the North African country’s efforts to fight against international cocaine trafficking operations, it added.
Indian Naval Ship (INS) Tabar took part in a maritime partnership exercise with Algerian Navy ship ‘Ezzadjer’ on August 29. INS Tabar is on a goodwill visit to Europe and Africa….reports Asian Lite News
The Indian Navy carried out two maritime exercises with the Algerian Navy and the Moroccan Navy in the last one week, the Navy said on Tuesday.
Indian Naval Ship (INS) Tabar took part in a maritime partnership exercise with Algerian Navy ship ‘Ezzadjer’ on August 29. INS Tabar is on a goodwill visit to Europe and Africa.
“The Alandmark exercise, held off the Algerian coast, saw the participation of a frontline Algerian warship, ‘Ezzadjer’,” said the Indian Navy.
As part of the exercise, diverse activities, including co-ordinated manoeuvring, communication procedures and steam past, were undertaken between the Indian and Algerian warships.
The exercise enabled the two navies to understand the concept of operations followed by each other, enhanced interoperability and opened the possibility of increasing interaction and collaboration between the countries in the future, the force said.
Pic credits @indiannavy
Prior to that, INS Tabar made a port call at Casablanca in Morocco on August 25 and August 26.
Upon leaving the harbour on August 26, the ship participated in a maritime partnership exercise with Royal Moroccan Navy ship ‘Lieutenant Colonel Arrahman’ off the Casablanca port.
Evolutions like communication drills, replenishment at sea procedures and naval manoeuvres were undertaken during the exercise.
The exercise concluded with the traditional steam past between the two ships to bid farewell to each other.
India has been collaborating with the friendly nations to enhance its capabilities and learn what best the others have to offer.
Last week, Indian Navy chief Admiral Karambir Singh had clearly stated that the basic precepts of maritime orientation are being challenged and India needs to exist and compete in the evolving paradigm.
He said as the basic precepts of the maritime orientation are challenged, competition in the region is also becoming more diverse, involving levers of diplomacy, commerce, ideology, values, science and technology – apart from the military.
