Morocco has officially taken the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) presidency.
The handover of the presidency of this body to the speaker of the Moroccan House of Representatives, Rachid Talbi El Alami, took place during the meeting of the Mediterranean delegation chaired by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola attended by Vice-President, Pina Picierno, and several European parliamentary officials.
On this occasion, Talbi El Alami, in his capacity as the new president of this Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly, presented the political priorities of the Moroccan presidency as well as the calendar of its activities. This is meant to contribute to providing the Union with sustainable development solutions that directly affect thousands of people, including women, and which can have tangible results on the ground, especially with the current Ukrainian crisis.
He said he would prioritise sustainable development, water, environment, blue economy, and energy.
He added that under the Moroccan presidency, the Commissions of the UfM-PA will, in partnership with the Secretariat of the UfM in Barcelona, endeavour to address energy security, the fight against climate change, food security and water security.
Other strategic actions will target the employability of youth and inclusive growth, and the socio-economic empowerment of women added to the speaker of the House of Representatives.
He also touched on the main challenges and threats facing the Euro-Mediterranean region, including the security situation in the Sahel region, the peace process in Libya, the situation in Syria and Palestine, migration flows, peace and security in the region, the environment and climate change.
In this connection, he pleaded for “the crystallisation of a collective will to face the common challenges while stressing the need to “work on the ground instead of letting the ground impose its reality and its conditions, through the development of proactive strategies at the economic, cultural and security levels.”
The Parliament Speaker, who underlined the importance of Morocco as a stable country and a land of dialogue, investment and productive action, said that the Kingdom had set an example in security efficiency and anticipatory action. They are“fully aware of the interest of cooperating with their friends, colleagues, and neighbours to meet the various challenges posed.”
During his visit to Strasbourg, Talbi El Alami held talks with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and several European parliamentary officials, including chairs of parliamentary groups and committees. This was meant to strengthen cooperation between the House of Representatives, the European Parliamentary institution, and Morocco and the European Union.
