Marrakech: Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rachid Talbi Alami, affirmed that envisioning an integrated future for Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf cooperation is impossible without considering Africa’s strategic depth as a crucial partner in establishing a broader area of stability, development, and shared prosperity.
According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, in a speech delivered by the House’s Vice-Speaker, Mohamed Sabbari, at the 4th Marrakech Parliamentary Economic Forum, Talbi Alami emphasized the significance of the African dimension as a vital space for cooperation and economic integration. He highlighted the continent’s abundant resources and investment opportunities. Morocco, under King Mohammed VI’s leadership, recognized early the importance of this dimension and has worked to strengthen partnerships with African countries based on a win-win approach.
Talbi Alami stressed that Morocco has become a bridge for communication and cooperation between Africa and the Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf regions. This role enhances economic interconnectivity and investment flows among these geopolitical areas. Enhancing investment and cooperation with Africa is a strategic priority that extends beyond supporting African development. It also contributes to strengthening security, stability, and prosperity across the wider region, aiding in building a more balanced international order.
He advocated for South-South cooperation as a promising strategic avenue for launching new development dynamics founded on expertise exchange, technology sharing, and investment promotion to achieve sustainable development. Talbi Alami highlighted the need to move beyond traditional partnerships towards genuine economic integration, facilitating trade and financial flows between the Mediterranean and Gulf regions to support development goals.
He called for stronger regional cooperation and with European partners to create an integrated area for research, development, and innovation. This includes encouraging investment in advanced technologies. The region faces challenges in creating sustainable jobs and adapting to climate change impacts on food and water security.
The Forum, organized by the House of Councillors and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean under King Mohammed VI’s patronage, serves as a platform for dialogue among parliamentarians, policymakers, and economic stakeholders on common development issues and challenges.