According to a press release from the House of Councillors, both parties expressed their satisfaction with the excellent bilateral relations, which have flourished in the wake of the momentum Morocco is experiencing in various fields under the visionary leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
Mr. Ould Errachid highlighted the significant economic and investment potential of both countries, especially in strategic sectors, stating that these assets could elevate economic ties to match the already distinguished political relations. He also emphasized the geostrategic positions of both nations, which open promising prospects for multidimensional economic partnerships.
He noted that Morocco views its relations with Panama as part of its proactive South-South cooperation policy, aimed at strengthening ties between peoples in various areas, in accordance with the High Directives of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
Mr. Ould Errachid welcomed Panama’s position in considering Morocco’s Autonomy Initiative as “the most serious, credible, and realistic basis for resolving the regional dispute” over the Moroccan Sahara. He stressed that this advanced stance reflects the growing international support for Morocco’s autonomy plan in its southern provinces, under Moroccan sovereignty, as the only serious and realistic solution to the artificial conflict.
He further noted that Morocco’s southern provinces are now establishing themselves as a development hub and a magnet for investment and major projects, becoming a strategic link between Morocco and its African depth, as well as a gateway to Europe, Central, and Latin America.
For his part, Minister Javier Eduardo Martínez-Acha Vásquez reaffirmed Panama’s support for Morocco’s 2007 Autonomy Initiative as a definitive solution to the regional dispute. He highlighted the strong bilateral ties based on mutual trust and respect, noting that his current visit has allowed him to witness Morocco’s level of development.
He also expressed Panama’s interest in benefiting from Morocco’s expertise in areas such as renewable energy, fertilizers, and water management, while exploring new projects and investments that could establish an advanced partnership between the two nations.
Both sides stressed the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening bilateral ties. In this regard, they emphasized leveraging the unique and diverse composition of the House of Councillors to deepen cooperation, particularly in the economic domain.
The Panamanian Minister underscored the important role of the Moroccan Parliament in regional parliamentary unions in Latin America and the Caribbean, noting that the House of Councillors holds observer and advanced partner status with the Central American Parliament (Parlacen), the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino), the Andean Parliament, and the FOPREL Forum.
He recalled that this status enabled Morocco to sign the declaration establishing the Morocco–Latin America–Caribbean Parliamentary Economic Forum alongside all regional parliamentary unions on December 5, 2024, in Panama.
The meeting was attended by Morocco’s ambassador to Panama, Bouchra Boudchiche, Panama’s ambassador to Rabat, Isbeth Quiel Murcia, as well as several senior officials from the House of Councillors.
Editorial team/le7tv