Rabat: The Chairperson of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Foreign Affairs, National Defense, Islamic Affairs, Migration and Moroccan Expatriates, Salma Benaziz, met with Billay G. Tunkara, Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Gambian National Assembly, to explore avenues for strengthening South-South cooperation and enhancing the role of their legislative bodies in promoting parliamentary diplomacy.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, both leaders emphasized the importance of parliamentary friendship groups in building stronger ties between Morocco and The Gambia. They discussed the impact of bilateral cooperation on strategic sectors such as health and education, viewing these as areas of mutual interest and benefit. The House of Representatives released a statement underscoring the significance of these discussions.

During the meeting, Benaziz highlighted Morocco’s major projects, led by His Majesty King Mohammed VI. She spoke about the Atlantic Initiative, which aims to facilitate access to the Atlantic Ocean for African and Sahel countries, opening new development opportunities. This initiative exemplifies Morocco’s commitment to fostering regional growth and collaboration.

Benaziz also provided insights into Morocco’s recent constitutional reforms, notably the adoption of the 2011 Constitution, which was developed through a participatory approach. She touched on several topics of mutual interest, such as legislative initiatives and women’s representation in Morocco’s legislative bodies. Furthermore, she praised The Gambia’s unwavering support for Morocco’s territorial integrity.

Billay G. Tunkara expressed Gambia’s backing of the Royal Atlantic Initiative, noting that the visit aimed to gain insights into Morocco’s reforms and significant projects, as well as its parliamentary practices. His remarks underscored the importance of learning from Morocco’s experiences to enhance parliamentary diplomacy in The Gambia.