European & Moroccan MPs Hail EU Constant Stand on Sahara
Members of the European Parliament and Moroccan MPs have commended the constant European stand on the Moroccan Sahara, supporting UN efforts that seek to reach a lasting political settlement on the basis of the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara, a plan described by the international community as “serious and credible”.
The remarks were made during the meeting of the joint EU-Morocco parliamentary committee in Strasbourg.
The Moroccan delegation, led by Abderrahim Atmoun, held several meetings in the European Parliament with influential MEPs on Euro-Moroccan relations and Morocco’s advanced status with the EU.
The European and Moroccan MPs hailed the strong parliamentary ties existing between Morocco and the Europe Union and their partnership contributing to the advance of democracy, peace and security in the Euro-Mediterranean region.
During their meetings with members of the Moroccan delegation, the MEPs, representing various political trends, praised the reforms engaged by Morocco, its noteworthy progress accomplished in all sectors and the impressive socioeconomic development made particularly in the Southern provinces of the country, a gateway to Africa.
The European and Moroccan parliamentarians also surveyed the challenges facing the Euro-Mediterranean region as well as the Sahel-Sahara region, with focus on the fight against terrorism and transnational organized crime.
The two sides agreed on the need to bolster trade and investment between Morocco and the EU to improve economic stability and facilitate job creation, promote inclusive socio-economic development and combat the causes of illegal immigration through a comprehensive and innovative approach to issues related to human mobility.
On the sidelines of these meetings, the two co-chairs of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, Abderrahim Atmoun and Ines Ayala Sender, finalized preparations for the 9th annual meeting of the JPC scheduled to take place at the European Parliament in Brussels on June 21.
The Strasbourg meeting came as the European Union braces to open talks with Rabat on a new fisheries agreement, which includes the Moroccan Sahara.
