London: Parliamentary Delegation Discusses the Means for Consolidating Bilateral Relations

The consolidation of parliamentary ties and the prospects of cooperation between the Kingdom of Morocco and the United Kingdom were the center of talks between several British political officials and the delegation of the House of Representatives currently on a working visit to London.

Led by the First Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Mohamed Sabbari (Party of Authenticity and Modernity), the delegation comprises the House’s Board members: Rep. Mohamed Joudar (Constitutional Union), Rep. Nadia Touhami (Party of Progress and Socialism), Rep. Zaina Idhali (National Rally of Independents), Rep. Abdelaziz Lachehab (Party of Istiqlal), and Rep. Ilham Essaki (Party of Authenticity and Modernity).

In their visit, at the invitation of the British Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (BGIPU), the Moroccan Representatives held a fruitful meeting with the British Minister of State for South and Central Asia, North Africa, the United Nations, and the Commonwealth, Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon. The latter noted that relations between the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Morocco are prospering constantly.

The delegation also met with the Under Secretary of State for Defense People and Families, Rt Hon Andrew Murrison, who underscored the strong desire for rapprochement between the two Kingdoms and noted the existence of good cooperation between the two countries in security and defense. In the same regard, he expressed his aspiration to pursue the reinforcement of this partnership in the following months.

In addition to the meetings with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Morocco (Morocco APPG), the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, and the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, the delegation also held talks with the Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, Rt Hon Nigel Evans; the Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords, Lord Gardiner of Kimble; and the British Trade Envoy to the Kingdom of Morocco, Rob Butler.

In a statement, Rep. Mohamed Sabbari noted that this intensive program enabled the Moroccan Representatives to meet their British counterparts from various political parties and discuss timely questions like global warming and renewable energies.

He also added that this visit, which extends to February 23, 2024, was an opportunity to give an overview of the achievements of the Kingdom in this field as the Kingdom established, since the organization of COP22 in Marrakesh, a legal arsenal that aims to implement the recommendations related to climate change. The Kingdom also worked to enhance its capacities in renewable energies, including solar energy, wind energy, and green hydrogen, he added.

Besides, he noted that the Moroccan delegation also shed light on the entrenchment of gender equality in accordance with the 2011 Constitution and its reflection in the texts adopted by the legislative institution that features a strong female representation. He also noted that the meetings covered security, migration, and interfaith dialogue.

The visit falls under the scope of the momentum characterizing the exchange between the legislative institutions of the two countries, particularly since the re-establishment of the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group and the Friendship Groups at both Houses of the Moroccan Parliament.

It should be noted that the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group performed a working visit to the Kingdom of Morocco last year. The visit featured a stop at the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab Region, where the Group members explored the development dynamism in the southern provinces of the Kingdom.