153rd IPU General Assembly: Moroccan-Cambodian Talks on Strengthening Parliamentary Cooperation and Developing Bilateral Relations

Arusha, Tanzania – The Vice-President of the House of Councillors, Lahcen Haddad, met on Monday in Arusha, Tanzania, with the Vice-President of the Cambodian Senate, Ouch Borith, to discuss ways to strengthen parliamentary cooperation and develop relations between Morocco and Cambodia in several areas.

During this meeting, held on the sidelines of the 153rd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Mr. Haddad emphasized the importance of injecting new momentum into relations between Morocco and Cambodia, highlighting the shared desire of both countries to strengthen their ties and leverage the advantages offered by Morocco’s position in Africa and on the Atlantic coast, and Cambodia’s position in Southeast Asia.

On this occasion, Mr. Haddad noted that relations between the two countries are experiencing growing momentum, marked by regular diplomatic and parliamentary meetings. He called for building on this momentum through increased visits between the two legislative bodies and joint initiatives in the economic, cultural, and educational fields.

He also highlighted the role that parliamentary diplomacy could play in supporting economic cooperation, particularly by encouraging the organization of economic forums and facilitating networking between businesspeople and companies from both countries, emphasizing the potential for complementarity offered by their respective economic structures.

For his part, Mr. Borith affirmed that Morocco and Cambodia share common aspirations for peace, stability, and development, as well as the preservation of cultural heritage, despite the geographical distance separating the two countries. He emphasized the need to further strengthen relations of friendship and cooperation between the two nations, while also expanding them to other areas, particularly economic and political ties.

Mr. Borith also expressed his country’s gratitude for the scholarships Morocco has awarded to Cambodian students, highlighting the crucial importance of human resource development for his country within its development efforts. He reiterated Cambodia’s appreciation for Morocco’s support in this area.

The 153rd General Assembly of the IPU began on Monday in Arusha, Tanzania, with the participation of representatives from parliaments around the world, including the Moroccan Parliament.

Morocco is represented by a delegation led by the Speaker of the House of Councillors, Mohamed Ould Errachid, and including Lahcen Haddad, Fourth Vice-President of the House; Mohamed Salem Benmassoud, Quaestor; Hassan Choumais, member of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) group; and Hanaa Benkhair, of the General Union of Moroccan Workers (UGTM) group.

The delegation also includes Mansour Lambarki, Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the House of Councillors; Saad Ghazi, Director of External Relations and Communication; and Hassan Azerkane, Head of the External Relations Division.