In a speech delivered at a meeting with representatives of the Andean Parliament, held at the House of Councillors headquarters, Ould Errachid said that Morocco's hosting of this meeting “reflects the depth of the mutual trust that unites us and our firm commitment, within the House of Councillors, to bring together all the conditions necessary for the success of this important parliamentary event, so that it is worthy of the status of your prestigious institution.”
“This commitment is also part of our ongoing determination to promote South-South cooperation and parliamentary dialogue, particularly with Latin America and the Caribbean region,” the Upper House Speaker said.
This meeting illustrates the confidence placed in Morocco by the member countries of the Andean Community (Colombia, Peru, Chile, Bolivia and Ecuador), as well as the solidity and credibility of relations between these countries and the House of Councillors, he added, noting that this event constitutes “further proof of our serious and sincere commitment to raising relations of friendship, fraternity and partnership to a higher level.”
In this respect, Ould Errachid recalled that three months ago, the House of Councillors hosted an extraordinary session of the Forum of the Chairpersons of the Legislative Assemblies of Central America, Caribbean and Mexico (FOPREL), in addition to the holding in Morocco of the first meeting of the Executive Board of the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament (Parlatino) outside Latin America, as well as the participation of the House of Councillors in the work of the General Assembly of Parlatino in Panama and the ordinary session of FOPREL in Honduras.
Ould Errachid also mentioned the signing of a joint declaration with all regional parliamentary unions, notably the Andean Parliament, for the establishment of the Morocco-Latin America Parliamentary Forum.
Similarly, the Upper House Speaker emphasized the importance of capitalizing on this momentum to strengthen multilateral cooperation, particularly through the preparation of the South-South Parliamentary Cooperation Conference and equivalent councils from Africa, the Arab World, Latin America, and the Caribbean, as well as the AFROLAC Summit, scheduled for the end of April.
He also highlighted the principles and references underpinning the distinguished partnership between the House of Councillors and the Andean Parliament, as well as other similar bodies in Latin America. He stressed that relations between Morocco and the Latin America and Caribbean region, deeply rooted in history, are founded on human ties and shared challenges, owing to their common belonging to the Global South.
The position that the Kingdom holds, he stated, in the hearts of the Andean peoples and the Latin American region in general, "is today primarily reflected in the deep esteem and sincere recognition accorded to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, within your countries, which we have consistently observed during your visits and our collaborations."
"Despite the two decades that have passed since His Majesty the King's historic visit, which covered two of the five member states of your esteemed organization, we continue to witness the prospects it has opened for strengthening friendship and cooperation," he affirmed.
Furthermore, Ould Errachid addressed the issue of the Kingdom's territorial integrity, which "is the subject of national consensus and constitutes an integral part of Moroccan identity, characterized by the steadfast defense of territorial unity and Morocco’s sovereignty over its entire territory."
In this regard, he clarified that this is not merely an artificial conflict, "but rather an attempt to fragment the national territory, based on myths and illusory narratives aimed at undermining national sovereignty, in disregard of the historical, political, legal, and factual realities of our national cause."
The Speaker of the House of Councillors also recalled the growing international support for Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara and for the Moroccan autonomy initiative, which remains the only fair and acceptable solution to resolve this artificial conflict.
Highlighting the palpable momentum within the Andean region to "support the Moroccan initiative and reassess positions inherited from the Cold War era," Ould Errachid underscored the House's determination "to engage with other countries and regions and to mobilize all our political and intellectual resources to present legal, political, historical, and spiritual arguments and evidence confirming the Moroccan identity of the Sahara, in strict alignment with the High Guidelines outlined in the Royal Speech at the opening of the first session of the current legislative year."