The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening parliamentary diplomacy with the Kingdom of Morocco, as both countries held a high-level parliamentary meeting on the sidelines of the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Istanbul, Turkey.
The meeting, which brought together senior parliamentarians from both nations, underscored the enduring friendship and strategic partnership between Nigeria and Morocco, with both sides emphasizing the need to consolidate cooperation for mutual development and the advancement of the African continent.
Speaking during the engagement, the President of the Senate described the relationship between Nigeria and Morocco as one rooted in shared history, mutual respect, and a collective vision for progress.
“Whether or not we have formal matters to discuss, meetings between Nigeria and Morocco are always significant. They represent the renewal of a bond of friendship that transcends our individual tenures in office,” he said.
He conveyed warm greetings to His Majesty, the King of Morocco, and commended the Kingdom for its stability, peaceful disposition, and remarkable developmental strides, noting that Morocco’s progress stands as a model for other African nations.
The Senate President also reiterated a key message delivered earlier at the IPU Assembly, stressing the importance of respecting national sovereignty and upholding justice in international relations.
“Might should not be right. When the sovereignty of nations is undermined, no nation is truly safe,” he stated
The Moroccan delegation, led by the Head of Parliament, Rachid Talbi Alami welcomed the engagement as a renewed opportunity to strengthen bilateral ties and elevate cooperation to a more ambitious level.
He highlighted the growing momentum in relations between both countries, particularly following the Royal Visit to Nigeria in December 2016, which catalyzed major strategic and economic partnerships.
He emphasized the importance of extending this cooperation to the parliamentary level through sustained dialogue, coordination, and exchange between legislative institutions.
“This meeting reflects our shared desire to deepen the strong relations that unite our two friendly countries and to elevate them to even greater heights,” he said.
Both delegations agreed that parliamentary diplomacy remains a critical instrument for fostering mutual understanding, strengthening regional integration, and driving sustainable development across Africa
Despite the tight schedule of engagements at the IPU Assembly, both sides noted the importance of convening the meeting, reaffirming their commitment to continuous engagement and collaboration.
The meeting concluded with a mutual pledge to sustain high-level interactions and to explore further areas of cooperation for the benefit of both nations and the broader African community.
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