Yerevan: Moroccan Parliamentary Delegation Takes Part in the Autumn Meeting of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly from November 18 to 20, 2023
A delegation from the National Parliamentary Representation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe is participating in the Assembly’s 21st Autumn Meeting in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, on November 18-20, 2023.
The Moroccan parliamentary delegation includes Rep. Mustapha Toutou (Group of the National Rally of Independents), Rep. Khalid Hatimi (Group of Authenticity and Modernity), Cllr. Fatima El Hassani (Group of the National Rally of Independents), and Cllr. Ibrahim Chkili (Group of Authenticity and Modernity).
The Meeting, hosted by the National Assembly of Armenia, features the participation of several national parliamentary delegations representing around 57 OSCE member states, representatives of the Armenian Government, OSCE officials, and experts in questions related to the focus of the Session.
The Meeting agenda includes a meeting of the Standing Committee and a Parliamentary Conference on the theme: “OSCE in Times of Crisis: Role of the PA in Responding to Internal and External Challenges.” The proceedings of this Conference take place within the framework of three sessions of the three General Committees of the Parliamentary Assembly. In this respect, the Political Affairs and Security Committee examined the role of the OSCE in the light of conflicts. On the same occasion, the Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology, and the Environment discussed the phenomenon of corruption and its repercussions on peace and security. At the same time, the Committee on Democracy, Human Rights, and Humanitarian Questions concluded the Conference by debating the theme: “Protection and respect for minorities and victims of armed conflicts.”
During the same Meeting, the OSCE-PA held the Assembly's Mediterranean Forum, focusing on the current situation in the Middle East. In his speech on occasion, Rep. Khalid Hatimi referred to the exceptional circumstances in which the Meeting is being held, and to the context marked by tension and the persistent armed conflict in the Gaza Strip, resulting in thousands of dead and wounded civilians, as well as destruction and a total blockade, in clear violation of human rights conventions and the provisions of international humanitarian law. In the same context, he called for the siege imposed on Gaza to be broken, and for humanitarian aid to be allowed in and delivered. The Representative concluded his speech by underlining the position of the Kingdom of Morocco and its unceasing diplomatic efforts to find a solution to the Palestinian question and establish a political horizon likely to revive the internationally agreed two-state solution and put in place the mechanisms for a lasting regional peace so as to achieve the interests and stability of all the peoples of the region.
On the sidelines of the Forum, the Moroccan parliamentary delegation held a meeting with the French delegation in the presence of Pascal Allizard, the OSCE Special Envoy for Mediterranean Affairs. During the meeting, both sides stressed the important role of parliamentarians in strengthening understanding and continuous communication. In this context, both sides agreed on the imperative of pursuing consultation and coordination, particularly in the light of intensifying crises at regional and international levels.
The Moroccan parliamentary delegation also held talks with its British counterpart, at which both parties welcomed the distinguished relations uniting the two countries and affirmed the need to develop parliamentary cooperation aspects.
It should be noted that the participation of the Moroccan Parliamentary Representation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in its Autumn Meeting is in line with the status enjoyed by the Parliament of the Kingdom of Morocco for over 20 years as a Mediterranean Partner for Cooperation.