Rabat – The new Speaker of Colombia’s Chamber of Representatives, German Alcides Blanco Alvarez, reaffirmed on Wednesday his “full support” for Morocco’s territorial integrity and national interests.
Blanco reiterated his country’s position regarding the Western Sahara issue during a meeting with Morocco’s Ambassador to Colombia, Farida Loudaya.
During the meeting, the two parties discussed several issues of common interest, most notably the means to promote bilateral parliamentary cooperation.
Blanco was one of many Members of Parliament (MPs) who approved the Congress of Colombia’s resolution supporting the territorial integrity of Morocco.
The resolution, adopted on December 5, 2018, supports Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara region and the country’s Autonomy Plan.
Blanco was also the spokesperson of the Colombian parliamentary delegation that visited Morocco between February 23 and March 2, 2019.
During his talks with Ambassador Loudaya, the Colombian politician expressed his will to give, during his presidency over the Chamber of Representatives, a new impetus to cooperation between the two countries’ legislative institutions.
Blanco also expressed his satisfaction with relations between Morocco and Colombia, saying the two countries have strengthened their ties through constructive political dialogue.
Commenting on Morocco’s progress in the past two decades, the Colombian official said he admires Morocco’s reforms and major infrastructure projects. He recalled that he witnessed some of the projects firsthand during his visit to Morocco in 2019.
Blanco and Loudaya highlighted the importance of intensifying interparliamentary coordination on issues of common interest, as well as support for all initiatives that can further boost bilateral relations.
Blanco was elected as speaker of the Colombia Chamber of Representatives on July 20.
Colombia-Morocco relations
Colombia is one of Morocco’s main partners in Latin America. The two countries established diplomatic ties in 1979.
Despite recognizing the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) in 1985, Colombia withdrew its recognition of the separatist group in 2000.
Since then, bilateral ties between the two countries gradually improved, resulting in the signing of several partnership agreements.
Colombia is one of many South American countries that support Morocco’s territorial integrity, such as Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Chile.
