In his Reception by Speaker of House of Representatives, President of National Assembly of Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe Reiterates Support of His Country for Territorial Integrity of Morocco

Speaker of the House of Representatives Habib El Malki held talks on Tuesday, April 27, 2021, at the House's headquarters, with the President of the National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe Delfim Santiago Das Neves, currently on a courtesy visit to our country.

At the start of the meeting, the Speaker of the House lauded the constant support by the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe to the territorial integrity of the Kingdom. In this respect, he stated, "The Moroccan people highly respect the unwavering position of São Tomé and Príncipe regarding the Moroccan sovereignty of the Sahara, which was reaffirmed last year through opening a general consulate in Laayoune in the south of the Kingdom of Morocco."

Mr. El Malki noted that the relations between the two countries are built on strong bases and characterized by friendship and solidarity on all levels and in all circumstances. He also highlighted that His Majesty King Mohammed VI has committed during the propagation of the COVID-19 pandemic to provide medical aids and kits to several African countries, which "affirms that Morocco always stands by its brothers at times of crises."

At the parliamentary level, the Speaker of the House of Representatives commended the progress of cooperation between the legislative institutions of the two countries, especially following the conclusion of a memorandum of cooperation between them in 2019. Mr. El Malki stressed the important role of parliamentary diplomacy in elevating the relations between the two countries and peoples and serving their mutual interests.

For his part, the President of the National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe reiterated his country's support in favor of the territorial integrity of the Kingdom, noting that his ongoing visit to the Kingdom is part of consolidating the cooperation bonds between the two countries, in general, and between the two legislative institutions in particular.

Mr. Delfim Santiago Das Neves extended his country's gratitude for the Kingdom's help during the fight against Coronavirus. In this context, he said, "We consider Morocco a role model and a bridge between Europe, Africa, and the Arab world. We are proud that the solidarity of our two countries is growing stronger and richer over time."

The President of the National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe announced the formation of a parliamentary friendship group between the two countries. He also expressed his strong will to fortify the bilateral parliamentary cooperation and consolidate consultation and coordination in the various affairs of mutual interest.