Rachid Talbi Alami, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, has called for “putting aside differences in this delicate regional and international context,” emphasizing that “this does not necessarily mean marginalizing the differences that are the source of our political and cultural richness.” He added, “We do not disagree that we possess the necessary tools to withstand challenges and strengthen our regional, continental, and international positioning, foremost among which are the consolidation of our institutions and our democratic model, along with the heritage and strength of the Moroccan state.”
During the opening of the second legislative session of the fourth year of the eleventh parliamentary term on Friday, Alami stressed the importance of what he referred to as “the successful and effective presence of Moroccan parliamentary diplomacy, based on the royal vision.” He indicated that “in the current international context and in light of the growing international challenges, we should consider several factors as we undertake our external duties.”
The Speaker highlighted that “first and foremost, we must always prioritize our territorial integrity issue at the forefront of our interests, positions, and diplomatic battles, drawing inspiration from the royal vision and the work of national diplomacy. We must always remember the royal pronouncement that ‘the Sahara issue is the lens through which Morocco views the world, and it is the clear and simple yardstick by which we measure the sincerity of friendships and the effectiveness of partnerships.'”
He continued, “The second matter concerns the increasing need for diplomatic efforts and intensity in light of the significant transformations in global politics and international relations, as well as the fluctuations of international axes and alliances, where parliaments will need to bridge viewpoints and work toward international consensus. The third factor is that international challenges, including conflicts, violent extremism, climate imbalances, migration, and water and food resource conflicts, will intensify.”
In light of all this, Alami stressed the “necessity of vigilance and supporting national diplomacy, defending our country’s interests and promoting its capabilities and international contributions in addressing these global challenges,” adding, “We must strive for a more impactful presence, equipped with comprehensive knowledge of the files, and stand firm against lies, distortion of history, and the narratives that our territorial integrity adversaries still delude themselves into believing and are promoting for openly known aims.”
He also stated, “We take pride in relying on historical and legal legitimacy, as well as diplomatic and political support, and the integration of our Southern provinces into our motherland thanks to the structured development projects completed and those currently underway, along with the patriotism of the residents of our Southern provinces and their continuous mobilization to defend territorial integrity.” He noted that “Focusing on our national issues has not prevented us from being concerned with the issues affecting the international community and the new challenges it faces, foremost among them international peace and justice.”
The Moroccan official also emphasized “the importance of renewing solidarity with the brotherly Palestinian people in the face of killing, siege, and starvation, and reaffirming Morocco’s support for the justice of the Palestinian cause under the leadership of its national authority and legitimate institutions,” pointing to “the role played by the Al-Quds Committee,” chaired by King Mohammed VI, “and its social and humanitarian arm, the Bayt Mal Al-Quds, in supporting the Palestinian presence.”
On another note, Alami indicated that “the interval between the two sessions was an opportunity to host several activities related to foreign relations that we intensively worked on,” explaining that “the Council continued to fulfill its duties in connection with the issues facing society and the challenges and stakes posed by the national context.” He noted that “these stakes and challenges, which the House of Representatives must remain at the heart of, require us to work with more determination and perseverance to ensure our efforts are impactful.”
He added, “We are called to continue our productive and interactive presence, appreciating the responsibility and trust we are bound by, regardless of our positions in opposition or the majority, and despite our diverse political backgrounds which, in the end, remain unified under the roof of the nation and in its service, especially when it comes to vital national issues.”
