Installation of the Mexico-Morocco Friendship Group at the Mexican Parliament
The Mexico-Morocco Friendship Group was officially established on Tuesday at the headquarters of the Mexican Chamber of Deputies, in the presence of Morocco’s Ambassador to Mexico, Abdelfattah Lebbar, members of parliament from various Mexican political parties, members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Mexico, and government officials.
Speaking at the event, the president of the group, Nayeli Arlen Fernández Cruz of the Ecologist Green Party, emphasized that this initiative provides a mechanism to strengthen political dialogue, share legislative expertise, and develop bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, tourism, environment, technology, and culture.
The Mexican MP welcomed the fact that relations between Morocco and Mexico, dating back to 1962, have been strengthened over the years through the signing of numerous cooperation agreements in various fields. She highlighted that this new framework of parliamentary diplomacy will further enhance dialogue between the two countries, particularly through the exchange of legislative experiences. Fernández Cruz also underlined Morocco’s leadership in renewable energy, citing landmark projects such as the Noor solar power plant in Ouarzazate, and noted Mexico’s determination to develop its own solar and wind energy projects, in line with both countries’ commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
For his part, Ambassador Lebbar affirmed that the establishment of this group reflects the clear will of both parliaments to elevate bilateral relations, which have gained new momentum this year, notably with the visit to Mexico by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rachid Talbi El Alami, the holding of bilateral political consultations, and the visit of an important Moroccan economic delegation that concluded a cooperation agreement and a memorandum of understanding with major Mexican economic institutions.
The ambassador also recalled the growing academic cooperation and tourism exchanges between the two countries, pointing out that Morocco is the leading African and Arab destination for Mexican tourists, while also serving as a key source of travelers from the Middle East and North Africa to Mexico. He stressed the importance of establishing a direct air link between the two countries to further strengthen ties.
Lebbar highlighted the complementarity of the two nations, noting that Morocco serves as a gateway to Africa, Europe, and the Arab world, while Mexico represents a strategic platform to North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean, thereby opening broad prospects for strengthening bilateral cooperation.
On the issue of the Moroccan Sahara, the ambassador reiterated the growing international support for Morocco’s territorial integrity and for the autonomy plan presented by the Kingdom as the only serious, realistic, and credible basis for resolving this regional dispute. He added that Mexico, “true to its diplomatic traditions, its commitment to multilateral action, and its attachment to the principles of the United Nations Charter, is respectfully invited to accompany this international consensus.”
Representing the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jorge Delgado underlined that the friendship group provides a unique platform to reinforce bilateral ties and affirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting it. He recalled that Moroccan-Mexican parliamentary relations have intensified and borne fruit in recent years, as demonstrated by reciprocal visits of the heads of the two countries’ legislative institutions, reflecting the importance of parliamentary dialogue.
Delgado also noted that Mexico has enjoyed over six decades of mutual understanding, friendship, political dialogue, and cooperation with Morocco. He described the Kingdom as a “strategic partner in Africa and the Arab world” and a “key interlocutor” at the international level. Morocco is also Mexico’s second economic partner in Africa, with bilateral trade reaching approximately 723 million dollars in 2024, he added.
Several Mexican MPs, for their part, stressed the importance of creating the Friendship Group as a platform to strengthen parliamentary and political dialogue and to promote investment opportunities fostering economic integration between Morocco and Mexico. They also highlighted Morocco’s leadership in various sectors and its role as a strategic bridge to Africa, Europe, and the Arab world.
The Mexico-Morocco Friendship Group is composed of representatives from the ruling Morena party, the Ecologist Green Party (government coalition), the National Action Party (PAN – opposition), the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI – opposition), and the Citizens’ Movement (opposition).
At the close of the installation ceremony, the Speaker of the Mexican Chamber of Deputies, Kenia López Rabadán, invited Morocco’s ambassador to a plenary session of the Chamber, during which she praised this parliamentary initiative.
Editorial team/le7tv
