New President of the Andean Parliament Reaffirms His Commitment to Advancing Ties with the Moroccan Parliament

During his encounter with the members of the Representation of the House of Representatives at the Andean Parliament on the sidelines of their participation in the August Session of said Parliament, held on August 27-31, 2024, in Bogotá, Colombia, the new President of the Andean Parliament, Hon. Gustavo Pacheco, commended the distinguished role of the Kingdom of Morocco in reinforcing relations with the various countries of the Andean community.

In the same respect, he stressed the importance of seizing his presidential mandate to advance the distinguished status of the Kingdom of Morocco within the Andean Parliament. He also noted that the mandate would be an opportunity to intensify cooperation and coordination between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Andean community countries in the various economic, political, cultural, and social fields, particularly through concluding free-trade agreements between the Kingdom and the Andean community countries. 

During a second meeting of the members of the Parliamentary Representation with the Secretary-General of the Andean Parliament, H.E. Eduardo Chiliquinga Mazón, the latter underscored the importance of focusing during the upcoming period on certain projects in education, such as student exchange. He also noted the importance of reinforcing the follow-up of the important work conducted by the members and implementing the various projects agreed upon previously. 

The participation of the representatives of the Moroccan National Representation, Rep. Fatine El Ghali (Group of the National Rally of Independents) and Rep. Mohammed Touimi Benjelloun (Group of Authenticity and Modernity) falls within the scope of reinforcing the excellent ties uniting the Moroccan and Andean Parliaments.

The Session featured an address of the Moroccan delegation, given by Rep. Fatine El Ghali, where she congratulated, on behalf of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Rachid Talbi El Alami, Hon. Gustavo Pacheco on his unanimous election to the Presidency of the Andean Parliament for the 2024-2025 mandate.

Rep. Fatine El Ghali also lauded the important role of this parliamentary organization on the continental level, adding that the accession of the Moroccan Parliament to the Andean Parliament as an observer member since 1996 reflects the desire of the Kingdom to support the integration process in which the Andean Community countries engaged and falls within the scope of the strategic choice adopted by the Kingdom of Morocco under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to strengthen South-South cooperation. 

In the same regard, she extended the gratitude of the Moroccan Parliament to the Andean Parliament for its constant support for the just causes of the Kingdom of Morocco, mainly its territorial integrity, thus contributing to reinforcing ties between the two parliamentary institutions. 

During the first day, the delegation of the House of Representatives took part in the meetings of the Foreign Policy Committee that discussed several themes, including migration and the political developments in Venezuela following the presidential elections. 

The proceedings of the Session continue with the plenary session, whose order of business includes the discussion of several themes, including the discussion and vote on a Framework Bill on combatting illegal wildlife trade in the Andean region, as well as the presentation of a proposal to update the legal framework to eradicate all forms of violence against women.