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Doha – A delegation led by Chilean Senate President Manuel José Ossandón met with Mohamed Ould Errachid, President of Morocco’s House of Councilors, in Laayoune on Thursday.
The high-level meeting, which took place during the Andean Parliament’s historic session in Morocco, centered on expanding parliamentary cooperation and strengthening economic partnerships.
Ould Errachid noted the transformative impact of King Mohammed VI’s 2004 visit to Chile, which he described as opening “promising new prospects for elevating bilateral ties into a model of South-South cooperation.”
Ossandón, serving in his dual role as Chilean Senate President and Vice President of the Andean Parliament, bestowed the Senate medal (Medalla del Senado) – the Chilean upper chamber’s highest honor – upon his Moroccan counterpart.
The Chilean leader extended an invitation to Ould Errachid to visit Chile, while expressing his satisfaction with an invitation to participate in the South-South Parliamentary Dialogue Forum. Both officials agreed to reactivate joint work based on the cooperation agreement signed in 2017.
The visit included substantive talks with Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, where discussions covered tariff policies and trade enhancement strategies. At the conclusion of their meeting, the Chilean Senate President also presented the Moroccan diplomatic authority with the Senate medal (Medalla de la Cámara Alta).
“Chile seeks to strengthen economic cooperation with Morocco and benefit from its experience, particularly in migration flow management, food security, and renewable energy,” Ossandón stated during the meetings.
Trade relations between the countries have seen noticeable growth. While Chilean exports to Morocco reached $17.78 million in 2024, Moroccan exports to Chile have surged dramatically from $11 million in 2021 to $86 million in 2024, driven primarily by mineral fertilizers and automotive sector expansion.
The visit coincided with a broader diplomatic initiative as the Andean Parliament, comprising Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile, convened its plenary session in Rabat. Established in 1979, the institution granted Morocco observer status in July 2018, making it the sole Arab and African country to hold this position.
Read also: Chile Adopts Resolution Renewing Support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan
The Andean Parliament’s presence in Morocco carried added weight as its president, Gustavo Pacheco Villar, reaffirmed the body’s strong support for Morocco’s territorial integrity during high-level talks with Bourita on Wednesday.
In doing so, the representative assembly joins a growing international trend, as more than 100 countries, including major powers such as the United States, Israel, France, Spain, and others, have openly endorsed Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara.
Ould Errachid hailed the Andean Parliament’s session in Morocco as a powerful symbol of strengthening inter-regional ties. Speaking during the session, he said that “this reflects the serious and sincere commitment to elevate friendship, brotherhood, and partnership relations to superior levels.”
Vice President of the Andean Parliament, Oscar Dario Perez, acknowledged Morocco’s economic transformation, citing advancements in infrastructure development, energy transition initiatives, and sustained GDP growth. The parliamentary delegation expressed particular interest in Morocco’s strategic position as a vital link between Europe and Africa.
During the discussions, both parties explored opportunities for academic collaboration through the Andean Network of Universities, aiming to establish research programs focused on Arab world studies, Moroccan affairs, and African development.
The meetings came to an end with agreements to strengthen South-South parliamentary dialogue and enhance bi-regional cooperation between Africa and the Andean region, marking a new chapter in Morocco’s diplomatic relations with Latin America.
