The President of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence, Islamic Affairs and Diaspora of the House of Representatives of Morocco, Ms Nadia Bouaida, paid a one-day visit to Cyprus, following an invitation by the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign and European Affairs, Mr Harris Georgiades. Ms Bouaida was accompanied by the Ambassador of Morocco to Cyprus, based in Athens, Mr Mohammed Sbihi and the Honorary Consul of Cyprus in Morocco, Mr Stelios Panagidis.
In the framework of Ms Bouaida's visit, separate meetings were held with the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign and European Affairs, Mr Harris Georgiades, and with the Minister of Defence, Mr Charalambos Petridis. Mr. Georgiades hosted a working lunch with the Moroccan official, in the presence of the Member of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign and European Affairs Mr. George Loukaidis, the Minister of Defence Mr. Haralambos Petridis, and the Minister of Education, Sports and Youth Mr. During the meeting, both sides underlined the friendly relations between Cyprus and Morocco on the basis of common principles and the importance of this visit, the purpose of which, as mentioned, is to give a new impetus to inter-parliamentary exchanges at various levels. The added value of the parliamentary dimension and parliamentary diplomacy in further strengthening bilateral cooperation in areas of common interest, such as security, energy, trade, tourism, education and culture, as well as regional cooperation, for the benefit of peace, stability and prosperity in the Mediterranean region, was noted.
Morocco, Georgiades said, is a partner of strategic importance for Cyprus in the Mediterranean region, a region of multiple challenges, which we must jointly address, but also opportunities, which we must seize through cooperation and joint initiatives. More specifically in the energy sector, Mr Georgiades noted Cyprus' active participation in the development of a regional cooperation network, with special reference to the EuroAsia Interconnector project. He also noted that the geographical location of the two countries provides significant opportunities for cooperation in terms of addressing climate change and the development of green energy. Unfortunately, Georgiades pointed out, Turkey, by intensifying its aggression, has chosen to exclude itself from this equation. Cyprus, he stressed, becomes a daily target of Turkey's revisionist and expansionist policy, which has no place in the 21st century and the European Union must not overlook such illegal actions, which undermine the prospects for cooperation in this very important region. Georgiades also noted that Cyprus supports European Union-Morocco relations for mutual benefit, always guided by the principles of international law.
Ms Bouaida said that Morocco bases its relations with other countries, including Cyprus, on common principles, namely respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-interference in the internal affairs of other states. He noted that Morocco can benefit greatly from strengthening its relations with Cyprus, both in terms of addressing challenges such as the migration issue and in the areas of investment and tourism. More specifically in the energy sector, he noted the cooperation developed by Morocco with various countries, including Israel, which, he pointed out, could also lead to the implementation of the EastMed pipeline, as well as the country's considerable potential in the field of renewable energy sources.
(The text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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