MORONI – Following up on the U.S.-Comoros Joint Statement signed in February 2023, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma visited Comoros May 30 – 31 to support Comoros’ efforts to become a stronger and more prosperous democracy and partner to the United States in upholding the rules-based international order.
In his meeting with President Azali, Deputy Secretary Verma congratulated Comoros and President Azali for assuming the Chair of the African Union for 2023, emphasizing that the United States wants Comoros to be successful in this role and work together to advance shared goals for Africa. Deputy Secretary Verma stated that the United States is eager to build upon the recently signed U.S.-Comoros Joint Statement on Cooperation, which sets out a vision for how the two nations can partner to promote peace, security, and prosperity in Comoros, the region, and the world.
Deputy Secretary Verma expressed how pleased he was “to see so much progress already made in the last two years to deepen relations between the United States and Comoros, particularly cooperation in the fields of sustainable economic development, clean energy, education, and health.”
Deputy Secretary Verma and his delegation also met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Dhoihir Dhoulkamal, among other government officials.
At the reopening of American Corner Moroni at the University of Comoros, Deputy Secretary Verma underscored that “This American Corner demonstrates the United States’ commitment to expanding our relations with Comoros and the nations of the Western Indian Ocean.”