Latest news with #3rdSouth-SouthParliamentaryDialogueForum
Maroc
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Maroc
AUSACO Conference Calls for Redefining UN Approach to Moroccan Sahara Dispute
President of the Colombian Congress (Upper House of the Parliament) and Senate, Efraín José Cepeda Sarabia, reiterated the support of the Colombian Parliament to the Kingdom of Morocco's territorial integrity. 'I would like to reiterate that the Parliament, as a legitimate representative of the Colombian people, supports the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Morocco and rejects the ill-advised position of the Colombian government,' he emphasized in an intervention at the opening, on Monday, of the 3rd South-South Parliamentary Dialogue Forum, held at the House of Councillors, under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. Cepeda Sarabia, who is also first vice-president of the Christian Democrat Organization of America (ODCA), expressed the Colombian Parliament's categorical rejection of his country's government's recognition of the puppet entity, recalling the Senate's adoption of two motions in support of Morocco's territorial integrity and its sovereignty over its Sahara. In this respect, he reiterated the commitment of Colombia's legislative bodies to continue their support for the territorial integrity of Morocco, which he described as one of Colombia's "allies." He also recalled the creation of the Moroccan-Colombian parliamentary friendship group in the Senate, with the aim of strengthening "strategic" cooperation ties between the legislative institutions of the two countries. MAP: 29 avril 2025
Maroc
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Maroc
South-South Cooperation: Parliamentary Dialogue Forum Commends HM the King's Leadership
Participants in the 3rd South-South Parliamentary Dialogue Forum expressed their deep appreciation and sincere gratitude to HM King Mohammed VI for the prominent, pioneering role the Sovereign has been playing to promote South-South cooperation. In the Rabat Declaration, read by the House of Councilors' Speaker Mohamed Ould Errachid during the Forum's closing session, parliamentary leaders from across the globe commended HM the King's support for development and solidarity-based projects and initiatives aimed at furthering unity, complementarity, integration, and shared development. The Forum's participants commended the Sovereign's Atlantic Initiative, which aims to enable the Sahel countries to access the Atlantic Ocean and build a solid institutional framework that unites Atlantic Africa and enhances synergy among the countries of the South through greater logistical connectivity, economic openness and regional integration, particularly in the African, Arab, Latin American, and Asian geo-economic space. In this context, they commended all successful regional initiatives and tracks for integration and cooperation in Africa, the Arab world, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Asia designed to achieve prosperity and shared development, increase investment and trade opportunities, and lay solid foundations for a shared, more prosperous and sustainable future. The parliamentarians further emphasized the importance of bilateral, interregional, and continental parliamentary dialogues among the countries of the South as they rise to the new challenges facing international cooperation and pool efforts to confront growing challenges, while stressing that respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and non-interference in their internal affairs is the basis for peace, security, stability, and the achievement of sustainable development. They also pledged to consolidate the work of regional and continental parliamentary unions and of national parliaments in Africa, the Arab world, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Asia, so as to enhance coordination, communication, consultation, and the exchange of views on current strategic issues, thereby keeping abreast of swift technological developments and laying down legislative frameworks that consolidate the foundations of sustainable development and industrial progress in the countries of the South, help address future challenges, and support entrepreneurship. In this regard, they pledged to support research and innovation in the area of artificial intelligence technology as well as responsible practices aimed at encouraging the use of that technology to promote across-the-board development in the countries of the South. On this occasion, they noted the importance of convening this Forum as a platform for exploring pathways and possibilities for regional integration and closer South-South cooperation, using a strategic, participatory, and solidarity-based approach likely to lead to complementarity, to more effective integration pathways, and greater capacity for adaptation, coordination, and strategic positioning within new systems of global interaction. They also highlighted the role of this Forum as a mechanism for parliamentary advocacy regarding common issues and as a means to rise to the challenges faced and make the voice of the peoples of the South heard in various international gatherings. The Rabat Declaration commended the high level of discussion, dialogue, and interaction which characterized the Forum's proceedings and activities, as well as the valuable contributions of participants, praising the presentations made on the various topics of the Forum, particularly those relating to strengthening interregional and continental dialogues among the countries of the South. It also highlighted the importance of policies aimed at strengthening strategic partnerships across economic, social, and humanitarian sectors in order to achieve shared development and integration, and lay the groundwork for cooperation, solidarity, peace, stability, and prosperity. MAP: 29 avril 2025
Morocco World
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Colombian Congress Recommits to Supporting Morocco's Territorial Integrity
Doha – Colombian lawmakers have firmly recommitted to backing Morocco's territorial integrity, openly defying their government's stance on the Western Sahara issue. During the 3rd South-South Parliamentary Dialogue Forum held Monday in Rabat, Colombian Congress President Efraín José Cepeda Sarabia made his position clear. 'I want to reaffirm that Parliament, as the legitimate representative of the Colombian people, supports Morocco's sovereignty and territorial integrity and rejects the ill-advised position of the Colombian government,' Cepeda declared at the forum hosted by Morocco's Chamber of Counselors. The congress president explicitly rejected his government's recognition of the Polisario Front, noting that Colombia's senate had already adopted two motions affirming Morocco's legitimate and sovereign right over its Sahara region. Cepeda, who also serves as first vice-president of the Christian Democratic Organization of America, pledged continued legislative support for Morocco, which he described as Colombia's 'ally.' He recalled the establishment of a Morocco-Colombia parliamentary friendship group in the senate, designed to strengthen 'strategic' cooperation between both countries' legislative bodies. Colombia's congressional resistance began in October 2022, when President Gustavo Petro made the controversial decision in August to revive a 1985 joint statement with the separatist group. Shortly after, 62 out of 108 senators voted against restoring diplomatic ties with Polisario. The trend of legislative support strengthened in November 2023, when 65 out of 105 senators approved a motion backing Morocco's territorial integrity. In that document, senators categorically distanced themselves from President Petro's position, affirming it 'in no way represents the position of Colombians towards Morocco.' This latest stance reinforces a position Colombian lawmakers have maintained since last February, when Cepeda met with Moroccan Ambassador Farida Loudaya. During that encounter, he revealed that President Gustavo Petro's recognition of the separatist group faced overwhelming opposition. 'That recognition was rejected by more than seventy percent of the Senate of the Republic,' Cepeda stated at the February meeting. Colombian political leaders are increasingly viewing Morocco as a strategic partner in Africa and the Arab world, with many pointing to the detrimental impact of the diplomatic rift on cooperation in crucial sectors like agriculture, renewable energy, and tourism. The parliamentary pushback reflects broader regional diplomatic shifts, as several South American nations have withdrawn support for the separatist group. Ecuador suspended recognition of the self-proclaimed 'SADR' in October 2024, with Panama following suit the next month. Meanwhile, bilateral trade between Morocco and Colombia reached $350 million in 2022, with Colombia exporting coal, coffee, and chemical products while Morocco supplied fertilizers and agricultural products to the Colombian market. The two-day forum in Rabat serves as a platform to showcase investment opportunities and promote South-South cooperation to enhance regional integration and expand trade possibilities. Tags: Moroccan Territorial IntegrityMorocco ColombiaWestern sahara
