Andean Parliament President hails development momentum in Morocco’s Southern Provinces
The President of the Andean Parliament, Gustavo Pacheco Villar, praised, on Thursday in Laayoune, Morocco’s socio-economic development momentum, particularly in the southern provinces, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI.
“Morocco represents a miracle in terms of development at the continental level and serves as a model for African nations,” Pacheco Villar told the press after meeting with the Wali of the Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra region and Governor of Laayoune Province, Abdeslam Bekrate, as well as the President of the Regional Council, Sidi Hamdi Ould Errachid, and the President of the Municipal Council, Moulay Hamdi Ould Errachid.
Leading a high-level parliamentary delegation on a working visit to Morocco at the invitation of the House of Councilors, Pacheco Villar discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation in key areas, including social, economic, diplomatic, and cultural affairs.
He also emphasized Morocco’s growing role within the Andean Parliament as an advanced partner of this regional legislative body, noting that the Kingdom, thanks to its strategic location and economic assets, serves as a gateway for Latin American nations to Africa and Europe.
On the issue of the Moroccan Sahara, Pacheco Villar reaffirmed the Andean Parliament’s “full respect” for Morocco’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He further called for the establishment of free trade agreements between Morocco and Andean Parliament member states to boost economic ties.
On the academic front, Pacheco Villar announced the launch of scholarships, in partnership with the Andean University Network, for Latin American students seeking to pursue higher education in Morocco.
During their visit, the delegation attended a presentation at Laayoune’s municipal headquarters on the city’s development strategy and projects under the new Development Model for the Southern Provinces, launched by King Mohammed VI in 2015.
The delegation also visited several development projects, witnessing firsthand Morocco’s efforts to drive comprehensive and sustainable growth in the southern provinces.
A joint declaration was later signed between the House of Councilors and the Andean Parliament, reinforcing South-South parliamentary cooperation based on the historical, diplomatic, and economic ties between Morocco and the Andean region.
In the joint declaration, both parties expressed their commitment to activating and institutionalizing the structures of the Africa-Latin America-Caribbean Parliamentary Forum (AFROLAC) and supporting the General Secretariat of the South-South Parliamentary Forum, which will be organized by Morocco’s House of Councillors, with the aim of establishing a dedicated office within the Andean Parliament.
This declaration, which marked the conclusion of the Andean Parliament delegation’s visit to Morocco, reaffirmed both parties’ determination to continue their joint efforts to organize the first edition of the “Morocco-Latin America and Caribbean Economic Parliamentary Forum.”
The declaration also welcomed the proposal by the Speaker of the Moroccan upper house to establish a unit for Moroccan, African, and Arab studies within the Andean Network of Accredited Universities.
Furthermore, the document emphasized the need to renew the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Moroccan Parliament and elevate its status to a more advanced partnership with the Andean Parliament.
As an observer member and advanced partner of the Andean Parliament, Morocco plays a key role in fostering legislative cooperation with the regional body, which represents the peoples of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile.
Established in 1979, the Andean Parliament works to harmonize legislation, promote regional integration, and strengthen participatory democracy across its member states.