Morocco's parliament engages in OSCE winter session in Vienna

Saturday 22 February 2025 - 09:10

A Moroccan parliamentary delegation participated in the 24th Winter Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), held on February 20-21 in Vienna.

This participation aligns with the Moroccan Parliament’s commitment to strengthening parliamentary diplomacy and fostering political dialogue and cooperation with international partners, particularly in Europe, as stated in an official release from the legislative institution.

As a Mediterranean Partner for Cooperation within the OSCE, the Moroccan Parliament was represented at the session by a delegation composed of members from both legislative chambers. The House of Representatives was represented by Marouane Chbaatou (National Rally of Independents), Khalid Hatimi (Authenticity and Modernity Party), and Najib El Khaldi (Istiqlalian Group for Unity and Egalitarianism). The House of Councillors' delegation included Mohamed Boudes (National Rally of Independents) and Lahcen Aït Isha (Authenticity and Modernity Party).

The session saw broad participation from national parliamentary delegations, experts, diplomats, and renowned academics specializing in key international issues. Over two days, discussions focused on crucial topics such as global peace and security, climate change implications, migration challenges, and the future of European security.

Additionally, the session included the presentation of general committee reports, which will be further discussed at the upcoming annual session in Porto, Portugal, in July 2025.

On the sidelines of the event, the Moroccan delegation from the House of Representatives held bilateral meetings with several participating delegations to explore ways to strengthen ties between Morocco and OSCE member states. Among these meetings was a significant discussion with French Senator Pascal Allizard, Vice President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and Special Representative for the Mediterranean.

Their talks focused on enhancing Mediterranean cooperation and preparing for the next OSCE Mediterranean Parliamentary Forum, an opportunity to advance dialogue and explore new avenues for collaboration.

The meeting also highlighted the strong historical and fraternal ties between Morocco and France, emphasizing their ongoing cooperation, particularly following the landmark visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Morocco at the invitation of King Mohammed VI. This visit marked a pivotal moment in Moroccan-French relations, opening new prospects for bilateral cooperation.

Both parties underscored the excellent partnership between the French Senate and the Moroccan House of Representatives, reaffirming their commitment to deepening parliamentary cooperation.