RABAT: Moroccan Speaker of the House of Councillors Mohamed Ould Errachid and French Senate President Gérard Larcher held talks on Wednesday to explore ways to enhance parliamentary cooperation between their nations. This meeting, conducted via videoconference, comes on the heels of French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Morocco, which was conducted at the invitation of King Mohammed VI.
According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, Ould Errachid expressed appreciation for the strong relations between the two parliaments, underscoring the importance of the meeting. This gathering marks a new chapter in the relationship between Morocco and France, reinforced by the signing of the Declaration on ‘Reinforced Exceptional Partnership.’ The Moroccan Speaker emphasized the crucial role of parliamentary engagement in strengthening bilateral ties through mechanisms such as parliamentary friendship groups and the Morocco-France Parliamentary Forum.
Ould Errachid highlighted the significance of these mechanisms
in maintaining a consistent institutional dialogue, facilitated by regular exchanges and joint meetings. He called for the 5th edition of the Forum to align with the evolving exceptional partnership between the two nations. He also applauded France’s longstanding support for Morocco’s territorial integrity, which was reaffirmed in President Macron’s address to the Moroccan Parliament. This stance is seen as part of the growing international endorsement of Morocco’s autonomy initiative.
The Moroccan Speaker noted that Larcher’s upcoming visit to Morocco would serve as a platform for advancing collaborative efforts and strengthening parliamentary ties to benefit both nations and their peoples. In response, French Senate President Larcher commended the robust bilateral relations, describing them as a unique model of cooperation built over decades. He stressed the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in furthering the renewed momentum in Morocco-France relations, as established by the leaders of both countries.
Larcher also highlighted the critical role of friendship groups in bolstering the parliamentary partnership and advancing bilateral work. He reiterated France’s historical support for Morocco’s territorial integrity and the autonomy initiative for the Southern Provinces as the foundation for a fair and lasting political resolution.