Speakers of Moroccan House of Representatives and Chilean Chamber of Deputies Conclude Agreement on Parliamentary Dialogue

Speaker of House of Representatives Habib El Malki held talks, Monday, February 17^th, at the House’s headquarters, with Speaker of Chilean Chamber of Deputies Ivan Flores Garcia, currently on friendship and working visit to Morocco alongside an important delegation.

At the beginning of the meeting, Speaker of House of Representatives lauded the upward trend in bilateral relations linking both countries’ parliaments, which are marked by constant consultation and exchange of visits between Moroccan and Chilean deputies. In this respect, he noted that parliamentary diplomacy plays an important role in bringing views together and assimilating the developments of societies. It also consolidates cooperation between the two countries in all areas.

Mr. El Malki commended the historic initiative the Chilean Parliament took in 2018 by voting on a petition that supports the Kingdom’s position regarding the artificial conflict around the Moroccan Sahara and confirms the importance of the autonomy initiative as a realistic solution to it. In this context, he stated that “this artificial dispute is now left behind, especially that the world nowadays faces new challenges of keeping security and stability. For this purpose, there should be respect for peoples and countries unity.”

Additionally, the House’s Speaker highlighted Chile’s economic boom and its export capacity, noting the existence of huge assets and opportunities to promote economic and commercial exchange between the two countries. Mr. El Malki also recalled that HM King Mohammed VI has made of South-South Cooperation a strategic orientation of the Kingdom. He added that “Chile is a friendly country with whom we have strong and excellent ties. The two countries can work together on vital sectors like renewable energy and sustainable development.”

For his part, Speaker of Chilean Chamber of Deputies confirmed the importance of consolidating commercial and economic ties between the two countries, noting that Morocco is a gate towards the African market while Chile is a bridge towards Latin America’s market. He also noted the economic complementarity between the two countries, and his country’s keenness to promote bilateral relations towards more cooperation and solidarity.

Besides, Mr. Ivan Flores Garcia reaffirmed his country’s open position regarding Morocco’s territorial integrity. In this respect, he said that Chile “commends the autonomy initiative presented by Morocco and supports it. We also respect international law and the sovereignty of peoples and countries.”

As for the Parliamentary aspect, Speaker of Chilean Chamber of Deputies noted that the agreement on parliamentary dialogue between the two houses is paramount, and it is the first agreement the Chilean Chamber of Deputies concludes with an Arab and African Parliament. In the same context, he invited the House’s Speaker Habib El Malki to perform a working visit to Chile, which would be an occasion to discuss means to consolidate bilateral relations.

At the end of the meeting, the two sides signed an “Agreement on Parliamentary Dialogue between the Moroccan House of Representatives and the Chilean Chamber of Deputies.” The agreement aims at institutionalizing a committee on parliamentary dialogue between the two Houses, creating a space for the exchange of expertise and experience in legislation, and exchange of delegations of deputies and officials of both institutions. The agreement also aims at promoting the contribution of parliamentary diplomacy in advancing official relations between the Moroccan and Chilean governments.

The two sides agreed on holding the first meeting of the Committee next year, in commemoration of the 60^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Morocco and Chile.