Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs, National Defense, Islamic Affairs and Moroccan Expatriates Committee Takes Part in Mediterranean Parliamentary Forum

Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs, National Defense, Islamic Affairs and Moroccan Expatriates Committee Nadia Bouaida took part, via videoconference, in the seventh edition of the parliamentary forum "Mediterranean Dialogues," organized in Rome on December 2-4, 2021, under the aegis of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in collaboration with the Institute for International Policy Studies.

During this parliamentary meeting, participants discussed several issues in the Mediterranean region, including the repercussions of Covid-19, energy transition, climate change, migration and terrorism.

Speaking on occasion, Nadia Bouaida called for establishing a permanent institutional framework for dialogue and initiative taking by the parliaments of the Mediterranean countries. She also suggested structuring the standing working committees to give new dynamism and impetus to bilateral cooperation, strengthen it and ensure its continuity and sustainability. In the same respect, she added that the challenges the region currently faces also require adopting more effective social policies in the fight against vulnerability, poverty, illiteracy and school dropout in developing countries, alongside the settlement of conflicts that create instability and hinder development.

About the risks of terrorism and human trafficking, Ms. Bouaida called for the proposal of the establishment of a permanent joint security force among the region's countries. The force's mission would be to combat terrorist groups, control the flows of merchant shipping in the Mediterranean Sea, canals and straits, and fight irregular migration and trafficking in arms and drugs.

Concerning the risks of Covid-19 and other pandemics, Ms. Bouaida proposed the urgent establishment of a mechanism to ensure the equitable distribution of vaccines for vulnerable countries and the creation of a regional bank of medicines and medical supplies in partnership between the region's countries.

Regarding the biggest challenge, climate change, Ms. Bouaida urged all parties to mobilize to reduce its impacts and develop joint programs that restore what has been damaged by humanity.

At the same meeting, Ms. Bouaida said that Morocco had always been a country of openness, coexistence and peace, and would remain constantly committed to strengthening the bonds of fraternity between the components of the international community.

On the same occasion, participants stressed the importance of strengthening dialogue and cooperation in the Mediterranean region to address all challenges, strengthen democracy and work towards peaceful solutions to conflicts.

Besides, participants welcomed the constant dialogue between the Parliaments of both sides of the Mediterranean to contribute to the quest for solutions to the region's problems. They also welcomed the political developments in some region countries, notably in Libya.