The reconstitution of this group following the legislative elections, held last July in the United Kingdom and which allowed the return to power of the Labor Party, reflects the strong commitment of the British Parliament in favor of strengthening dialogue and cooperation with Morocco on a series of crucial issues.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the group, co-chaired by Andrew Murrison, Conservative MP (opposition) and Fabian Hamilton, Labor MP (in power), the Moroccan Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Hakim Hajoui, delivered an exhaustive presentation on the political, economic and security issues that Morocco and the United Kingdom share within the framework of their privileged bilateral relations.
Recalling the national priorities of the Kingdom, with the question of the Moroccan Sahara as a cornerstone, the ambassador highlighted the strategic role of Morocco in the Atlantic and Sahel regions, detailing in particular the Royal vision for the Atlantic and ongoing cooperation in the areas of green energy, counter-terrorism, trade agreements and regional stability.
Highlighting the progress made in these areas, Mr. Hajoui underlined the complementarities between the two Kingdoms and the central role that Morocco can play in the United Kingdom’s regional and global strategic objectives.
“The reconstitution of the APPG-Morocco comes at an important moment in Moroccan-British relations,” observed the diplomat, adding that this reconstitution testifies to “a shared desire to further strengthen the links between our two Kingdoms, to address national priorities, and promote parliamentary exchanges and collaboration between our two countries, in line with the speech delivered by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, on the occasion of the opening of the parliamentary session , last October.”
For his part, Mr. Hamilton said he was “honored” by his election as co-president of the parliamentary group for Morocco. He expressed his determination to work with co-president Mr. Murrison to strengthen “historic relations with Morocco, one of the United Kingdom’s oldest allies”.
Mr. Murrison, for his part, welcomed the reconstitution of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Morocco, stressing that the already strong relations between Morocco and the United Kingdom “will be raised to a higher level”.
Made up of more than 20 high-level MPs from various political persuasions within both houses of the Westminster Parliament, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Morocco responds to its primary vocation of contributing in an effective manner to the efforts aimed at continuing to raise the level of relations between Morocco and the United Kingdom.
The Group also has the mission of strengthening strategic parliamentary diplomacy. Its reconstitution thus testifies to a strong desire to develop this diplomacy in the service of relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the United Kingdom.
It is also a renewed commitment that aims to strengthen dialogue on crucial regional and global issues, paving the way for even more fertile and stronger bilateral relations between two countries linked by a long history of friendship.
In addition to MM Murrison, former Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, Northern Ireland and Defence, and Hamilton, former Minister for Peace and Disarmament and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the he former shadow government, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Morocco brings together parliamentarians with extensive experience in key foreign affairs, trade and security issues.
Notable members include Afzal Khan, Labor member of the House of Commons (lower house) and former shadow government minister for immigration and active voice on international affairs and human rights issues, Lord Bellingham, Conservative member of the House of Lords (upper house) and former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Africa and Mark Garnier, Conservative member of the House of Commons and former Minister for International Trade.
The group also includes Bambos Charalambous, Labor member of the House of Commons and former minister for the Middle East and North Africa region in the former shadow government, Lord Udny-Lister, Conservative member of the House of Lords and former chief of staff of Downing Street (British prime minister) from 2019 to 2021 and Bill Esterson, Labor member of the House of Commons and chairman of the energy and net zero committee.
Interview Between the Editor of Time.news and an Expert on Moroccan-British Relations
Editor: Good afternoon and thank you for joining us today. In light of the recent reconstitution of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Morocco in the UK, can you explain why this development is significant for both countries?
Expert: Good afternoon! This reconstitution is a pivotal moment for Moroccan-British relations, especially following the recent legislative elections in the UK that saw the Labor Party return to power. The renewed focus on dialogue and cooperation is crucial as both nations navigate shared interests in political, economic, and security domains.
Editor: Indeed, and during the inaugural meeting, Moroccan Ambassador Hakim Hajoui highlighted key issues like the Moroccan Sahara and Morocco’s strategic role in the Atlantic and Sahel regions. Why are these aspects particularly important?
Expert: The Moroccan Sahara issue is central to national priorities for Morocco and has implications for regional stability. Moreover, Morocco’s strategic positioning allows it to serve as a significant partner for the UK, especially concerning counter-terrorism initiatives and trade agreements. Ambassador Hajoui’s emphasis on cooperation in green energy also aligns with global shifts towards sustainability, which is pertinent to both nations.
Editor: It’s fascinating how both countries can complement each other in various fields. Co-president Fabian Hamilton expressed a commitment to historic relations with Morocco. What does this mean for the All-Party Parliamentary Group’s function moving forward?
Expert: The commitment from both co-chairs, Hamilton and Murrison, signifies a bipartisan approach to enhancing Moroccan-British relations. The Group, comprising over 20 MPs from diverse political backgrounds, will focus on promoting parliamentary exchanges, addressing shared priorities, and strengthening strategic diplomatic efforts. This collaborative stance not only reflects a shared desire to deepen ties but also illustrates the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in modern governance.
Editor: Speaking of parliamentary diplomacy, what specific outcomes can we anticipate from this group’s activities in the near future?
Expert: We can expect a push towards enhancing trade relations, as both countries explore new investment opportunities, particularly in green technology sectors. Additionally, there may be intensified discussions on joint security initiatives and policies addressing climate change. The APPG for Morocco will likely serve as a platform for fostering dialogue around these issues, ensuring they remain on the political agenda.
Editor: This is all very insightful. As the expert on this topic, what do you believe will be the main challenges the APPG for Morocco might face in achieving its goals?
Expert: One of the key challenges will be maintaining bipartisan support for Morocco amidst evolving political landscapes in both countries. Additionally, navigating complex geopolitical factors in the Sahel and Atlantic regions will require careful diplomacy. The group must also ensure that the voice of Moroccan stakeholders is included in discussions, which might sometimes be overlooked.
Editor: considering the broader context, how do you see the future of Moroccan-British relations unfolding in the coming years?
Expert: The future looks promising given the current momentum. Both countries have demonstrated a willingness to collaborate on mutual interests. With ongoing efforts to deepen economic ties and strategically address shared security concerns, I anticipate that we’ll see increasingly robust relations. If they successfully leverage the newly formed parliamentary group, I believe we can expect Morocco to emerge as an even more pivotal partner for the UK.
Editor: Thank you for your valuable insights. It seems there are exciting developments on the horizon for Moroccan-British relations!
Expert: Thank you for having me! I’m looking forward to seeing how this partnership evolves.