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Rabat – Parlatino, the Parliament of Latin America and the Caribbean, has inaugurated in the Republic of Panama a Moroccan space with a library named after King Mohammed VI, reported Morocco’s Press Agency (MAP).
The inauguration coincided with the visit of the Speaker of Morocco’s House of Councilors Naama Mayara to Panama city. During his work visit, the Moroccan MP represented the North African kingdom at the General Assembly of Parlatino and the summit of Presidents of the Regional Parliamentary Unions in Africa and Latin America.
At the General Assembly of Parlatino, Mayara stressed, “Morocco’s firm belief in the importance of the pioneering role played today by regional blocs in a constantly changing world.” He also called for cooperation between Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean to secure leadership positions in the post-COVID-19 world.
The Moroccan delegation Mayara headed to Panama included the president of the parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, National Defense, and Moroccans Living Abroad Neila Mia Tazi, Mustapha Moucharik of the National Rally of Independents group, Abderrahmane Ouafa of the Authenticity and Modernity group, and Ahmed El Kharif of the Independence group for Unity and Egalitarianism, among other staff members.
The King Mohammed VI library’s inauguration ceremony took place in the presence of Morocco’s Ambassador to Panama Bouchra Boudchiche, the President of Parlatino Jorge Pizarro Soto, the Mayor of Panama City Carla Garcia, and the incoming President of Parlatino Silvia del Rosario Giacoppo.
Additionally, President of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Sidie Mohamed Tunis and President of African Parliamentary Union Mohamed Ali Houmed attended the event.
To celebrate the new Moroccan space, “the Moroccan flag rose in front of Parlatino headquarters to the rhythm of the national anthem,” MAP said.
In an address to Parlatino, Mayara highlighted the symbolism of the Moroccan space, arguing that it embodies the diversity of Moroccan cultural heritage. He also noted that the space can bring together people of Africa and Latin America.
The space will also provide a digital platform to directly connect the national parliaments of the Parlatino member states, Mayara added.
Morocco-South America Relations
Morocco has long-standing political, economic, and cultural relations with a number of South American countries.
In April 2021, Morocco’s Mohammed V University organized an international forum to celebrate Morocco-Latin American relations under the theme “20 years of relations between Morocco and South America.”
Participants — Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay — reviewed the historical, economic, cultural, and political relations between their respective countries and Morocco.
While the webinar helped review Morocco-South American diplomacy in the past 20 years, diplomatic relations between Morocco and some South American countries date back to decades.
For instance, Morocco-Chile bilateral relations date back to 1961. In celebration of 6o years anniversary, the Chilean Ambassador to Morocco said “Morocco is a very important country for Chile.”
Additionally, Morocco-Brazil relations go back to pre-colonial Morocco with Brazil opening a consulate in Tangiers in 1884 and later with the establishment of Brazil’s embassy in post-colonial Morocco in 1967.
In 2021, Morocco’s exports to Brazil reached $1.9 billion, with products including fertilizers, precious metals, and chemical products, salt, sulfur, earth, stone, plaster, lime, and cement in the respective order. As a result, Brazil became Morocco’s third-biggest trading partner.
Yet, other Moroccan diplomatic relations were disrupted such as the case of Morocco-Cuba relations. The two countries initiated relations in 1959, yet the kingdom severed relations with the Caribbean island in 1963 due to Cuba’s support of Algeria during the Sand war.
Over 30 years later, the two countries resumed relations in 2017. With the restoration of relations, Morocco stressed unity between the two countries and people. “What unites us is infinitely more important than what separates us,” said Boughaleb Al Attar, former Moroccan ambassador to Havana.
With long-standing relations with Latin American countries, Morocco seeks to further bilateral and international cooperation with the region. As Morocco’s Ambassador to Argentina Yassir Fares told La Prensa daily, “Morocco is driven by a strong will to consolidate the friendship and cooperation relations with Latin American and Caribbean countries and strengthen its position as a distinguished gateway to the African market.”
Notably, the north African kingdom has signed several agreements to promote bilateral relations with South American countries in agriculture, automotive, textiles, scientific research, tourism, biotechnology, and aviation sectors.
