Strengthening Parliamentary Ties for Enhanced Cooperation
On Monday, April 6, 2026, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abdelmajid Fassi Fihri, welcomed Rodrigo Gamara, the President of the South American Common Market Parliament (Parlasur), along with his accompanying delegation, at the council's headquarters. This meeting marks a pivotal moment for fostering a more dynamic and effective parliamentary partnership aimed at serving the interests of the peoples involved and enhancing the values of cooperation and solidarity among Southern nations. Fassi Fihri emphasized the significance of parliamentary diplomacy as a crucial tool for promoting dialogue among nations.
During this significant encounter, Fassi Fihri highlighted the necessity of enhancing communication and exchanges between the Moroccan Parliament and the Mercosur Parliament through reciprocal visits and the establishment of regular dialogue mechanisms. He called for the encouragement of legislative experience sharing, particularly in areas of mutual interest such as sustainable development, social justice, and digital transformation. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of coordinating positions within international parliamentary forums on issues of shared concern.
Fassi Fihri noted that the relations between Morocco and Mercosur countries still fall short of their potential, despite the abundant opportunities available for economic integration and South-South cooperation within this regional bloc, which primarily aims to enhance trade exchanges and economic integration among its member states. He articulated that parliamentary diplomacy could play a vital role in bridging perspectives, promoting economic initiatives, and supporting the establishment of strategic partnerships between Morocco and Mercosur countries. He underscored Morocco's strategic position as a gateway for cooperation with the African continent, facilitating promising trilateral partnerships between Africa and South America.
In his remarks, the President of the South American Common Market Parliament, Rodrigo Gamara, stated that this visit aims specifically to accelerate the pace of trade cooperation between this bloc and Morocco, which is viewed as a gateway to Africa and the Arab world for South America. The meeting was attended by notable figures, including Fabiana Martin, a member of Parlasur and head of the Argentine delegation; Arturo Silveira, Secretary of the Presidency of Parlasur; Gerardo Farina, Director-General of Parliamentary Affairs at Parlasur; and Gustavo Cuevas, Director of the Democracy Observatory at Parlasur.
It is noteworthy that the Mercosur Parliament was established in 2006 as a significant step towards supporting integration institutions within the South American Common Market, which includes Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The Mercosur Parliament, headquartered in Montevideo, Uruguay, comprises elected representatives serving four-year terms, renewable, and features ten permanent committees along with a Democracy Observatory. Its sessions are held at least once a month.
Additionally, two memoranda of understanding were signed between the Moroccan Parliament and the Mercosur Parliament in 2019 and 2022, further solidifying their commitment to collaborative efforts.
As reported by maroc24.com.
