Mohammed Ould Al-Rashid, the President of the House of Councillors, held discussions via video conference with Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Nigerian Senate, on Tuesday.
According to a statement from the House of Councillors, Ould Al-Rashid emphasized at the beginning of the meeting the depth and strength of the friendship and cooperation between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which is based on mutual respect and shared ambition to diversify cooperation across various developmental and humanitarian fronts.
He noted that these relations have been further strengthened by the historical visit of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to Nigeria in December 2016, “which marked the beginning of a new era in the political, economic, and social relations between the two countries.”
In this context, the President of the House of Councillors highlighted the significant role played by economic diplomacy in fostering the dynamics of relations between the two countries, through the establishment of multidimensional partnerships in vital areas, encouraging joint investment and development projects, and enhancing trade exchanges.
At the regional and continental level, Mohammed Ould Al-Rashid stressed that the Kingdom of Morocco, thanks to the wise leadership of His Majesty the King, “continues its efforts to achieve the principles and goals of the African Union regarding the establishment of unity and solidarity among African countries, and the promotion of peace, security, development, and stability on the continent, in line with the principles and foundations of solidarity, shared development, south-south cooperation, and win-win partnerships.”
He recalled the strategic and pioneering initiatives launched by the Kingdom of Morocco, under the esteemed patronage of His Majesty the King, such as the initiative for the Atlantic African countries and the joint project for the Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline, “which aligns with the same vision and direction related to the development of the continent by achieving regional integration and enhancing economic and social development.”
Regarding parliamentary cooperation, the President of the House of Councillors reiterated the desire to strengthen cooperation and intensify coordination between the House of Councillors and the Nigerian Senate, through enhanced communication and the exchange of expertise and experiences in various fields of parliamentary work, as well as coordinating and unifying efforts on all common issues in international parliamentary forums and reinforcing mutual support.
The President of the Nigerian Senate praised the strength of the relations between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Kingdom of Morocco in various political, economic, and social fields. He took this opportunity to commend the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI at the African level and what His Majesty is doing for development in Africa. Akpabio also emphasized his country’s firm desire to strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries and to enhance the dynamics of the bilateral partnership in various vital areas.
He also expressed a commitment to support cooperation between the two countries by enhancing parliamentary dialogue between the Nigerian Senate and the House of Councillors through the exchange of visits, support, and coordination on all common issues.
