Morocco and Cambodia discussed ways to strengthen parliamentary cooperation and expand bilateral relations across several sectors during a meeting in Arusha, Tanzania, on Monday.
Lahcen Haddad, fourth vice president of Morocco’s House of Councillors, met with Ouch Borith, vice president of the Cambodian Senate, on the sidelines of the 153rd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
Haddad discussed the need to give new momentum to relations between Morocco and Cambodia as he pointed to the two countries’ strategic positions in Africa and Southeast Asia.
He said the relationship has gained momentum through regular diplomatic and parliamentary meetings and called for more exchanges between the two legislative institutions.
Haddad also proposed joint initiatives in economic, cultural, and educational fields, while noting the role of parliamentary diplomacy in supporting economic cooperation.
He said the two countries could encourage economic forums and facilitate contacts between businesses and investors, citing potential complementarities between their respective economies.
Borith said Morocco and Cambodia share common aspirations for peace, stability, and development, as well as the preservation of their cultural heritage.
Despite their geographical distance, he called for stronger relations between the two countries and their expansion into additional areas, particularly the economic and political fields.
The Cambodian official also expressed his country’s appreciation for scholarships Morocco provides to Cambodian students. He said human resource development is a key part of Cambodia’s development efforts and thanked Morocco for its support in this area.
The 153rd IPU General Assembly opened Monday in Arusha, bringing together parliamentary representatives from around the world.
Morocco is represented by a delegation led by House of Councillors President Mohamed Ould Errachid. The delegation includes Haddad, Mohamed Salem Benmassoud, Hassan Choumais of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), and Hanaa Benkhair of the General Union of Moroccan Workers (UGTM).
The delegation also includes officials from the House of Councillors, including Mansour Lambarki, chief of staff to the president, Saad Ghazi, director of external relations and communication, and Hassan Azerkane, head of the external relations division.
Morocco and Cambodia have sought to expand bilateral relations beyond diplomatic contacts, with education and parliamentary exchanges forming part of their cooperation.
Morocco has also used scholarships and academic cooperation to strengthen ties with countries in Asia and other regions. The latest discussions in Arusha point to an effort to build on those links by encouraging greater economic, political, and institutional exchanges.
MWN with MAP
