House of Councillors Second-Deputy Speaker Holds Talks with Hungarian, Swiss Parliamentary Officials

Chamber of Councillors’ second-deputy speaker Ahmed Akhchichen held separate talks here on Wednesday with Vice-President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Hungary István Jakab, and President of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Swiss National Council Laurent Wehrli, who are on a working visit to Morocco. During the meeting with Jakab, Akhchichen stressed the importance of this visit in bolstering the process of distinguished cooperation between Moroccan and Hungarian legislative institutions, highlighting in this sense the significant track record of mutual visits between the two parties, a press release from the House of Councillors said.  Akchichen also stated that relations between Morocco and Hungary have evolved significantly in recent years, thanks to the strategic vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, welcoming efforts of both countries to establish a solid model of cooperation, marked by mutual respect, friendship, joint action and merging visions and viewpoints on various regional and international issues. In this context, he hailed the tangible development in many areas, notably economic, commercial, cultural and academic cooperation, as well as scientific and technological research. Akhchichen also praised Hungary’s position on the Moroccan Sahara issue, supporting the UN process and the Autonomy Plan for the Kingdom’s southern provinces, highlighting this position as part of the growing momentum of support for the autonomy initiative. For his part, Jakab stressed the importance of parliamentary cooperation in consolidating relations between the two countries, expressing his wish to see this cooperation develop and broaden through multiplying exchanges of visits, experience and expertise in the various fields of parliamentary action, as well as coordinating and consulting within regional parliamentary unions and assemblies, in order to serve the interests of both countries and strengthen mutual understanding between the two friendly peoples. The Hungarian parliamentary leader also praised the Kingdom’s wise policy and its willingness to strengthen security, stability and peace in the region, welcoming the central role played by Morocco as a responsible player and essential partner in the fight against irregular migration and terrorism, as well as the promotion of joint development. He also expressed his country’s desire to consolidate cooperative relations with Morocco in economic, energy, agricultural, tourism, cultural and scientific fields, calling for greater exchange of experience and expertise between the two countries in these areas. On the question of the Kingdom’s territorial integrity, Jakab reiterated his country’s support for the UN process and the Moroccan autonomy initiative in the southern provinces. In a similar meeting, Akchichen and President of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Swiss National Council Wehrli discussed the solid grounds for relations between the two countries, based on friendship, cooperation and historical ties. The meeting was also an opportunity to underline the exemplary and fruitful partnership between Morocco and Switzerland, as well as the serious common willingness to strengthen cooperation and enhance coordination between the two legislative institutions, particularly through joint efforts of the two parliamentary friendship groups, and to encourage exchanging visits and sharing experience and expertise in various fields of parliamentary action.