Agadir – Morocco and Uzbekistan signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Monday to institutionalize parliamentary cooperation between the two countries, covering exchanges of expertise, parliamentary visits, capacity building, and cooperation in legislative, oversight, and administrative fields.
The agreement was signed by House of Councillors President Mohamed Ould Errachid and Uzbek Senate Chairperson Tanzila Narbaeva in Arusha, Tanzania, on the sidelines of the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
The two officials also held talks on ways to strengthen Morocco-Uzbekistan relations, with discussions focusing on parliamentary cooperation as well as economic, trade, and investment ties.
The Uzbek Senate said Morocco is “one of Uzbekistan’s important partners in North Africa,” adding that the two countries are linked by “historical, spiritual and cultural closeness, mutual respect and friendly relations.”
The talks also addressed the role of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening bilateral relations.
“Special attention was paid to the important role of parliamentary diplomacy in further strengthening the multifaceted relations between the two countries,” the Uzbek Senate maintained, stressing the importance of intensifying mutual visits, expanding inter-parliamentary cooperation groups, and exchanging experience in lawmaking and parliamentary oversight.
The two sides also discussed investment cooperation and ways to expand direct contacts between their private sectors, including cooperation in agriculture, food security, and energy. They also discussed expanding cultural and humanitarian ties and cooperation in tourism, according to the Uzbek Senate.
The Uzbek Senate said the MoU was signed “ to establish a systematic and effective interparliamentary dialogue” between the two institutions.
Morocco, Tanzania discuss parliamentary cooperation
During his participation in the IPU Assembly, Ould Errachid also met with Tanzanian National Assembly Speaker Mussa Azzan Zungu to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between the two legislative institutions.
The talks covered parliamentary exchanges, coordination on issues of common interest, and the sharing of legislative experience and expertise.
Ould Errachid also outlined Morocco’s approach to South-South cooperation and its initiatives in Africa, including the Royal Atlantic Initiative, the Atlantic African States Process, and the Nigeria-Morocco Atlantic African Gas Pipeline project.
Zungu recalled Morocco’s historical support for African liberation movements and the continent’s struggles against colonialism and apartheid, saying these ties provide a foundation for further cooperation and solidarity between Morocco and Tanzania.
Talks with Azerbaijan
Ould Errachid also held talks with Azerbaijani Parliament Speaker Sahiba Gafarova to discuss ways to strengthen parliamentary and bilateral relations.
The Moroccan official welcomed the growing ties between Morocco and Azerbaijan and expressed interest in expanding cooperation, particularly in the parliamentary and economic fields.
Gafarova described relations between the two countries as strong and pointed to the importance of parliamentary cooperation in supporting closer ties between Morocco and Azerbaijan.
