Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met on Tuesday Rachid Talebi, the speaker of the Moroccan House of Representatives in Rabat, where he stressed Egypt's interest in advancing cooperation frameworks between the two countries' legislative institutions. Minister Shoukry met also with Al-Naim meyara, the head of the Moroccan Council of Advisors, where he discussed the role of the Arab parliaments to strengthen the frameworks of joint cooperation, The two sides discussed the development of parliamentary mechanisms between Egypt and Morocco, and intensify bilateral visits between the legislative institutions of the two countries Earlier, the Foreign Minister held an extended session of talks with his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita, during which they discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations. In a joint statement, the two sides stressed that the economic and investment dimension is an important pillar in the relations of the two countries in light of the ability of the two countries to establish complementary cooperation in many fields, and the unique strategic location of the two countries, great economic capabilities, and distinct human competencies. The two ministers expressed their keenness to continue working on developing economic cooperation relations, increasing mutual investments, maximizing the benefit of the attractive investment climate in the two countries, increasing terms of trade, strengthening partnerships and exchanging experiences in various fields. The two sides agreed to hold the fourth session of the coordination and Political Consultation Mechanism in Cairo during the second half of this year, as an institutional mechanism that enables the two countries to exchange visions and enhance coordination on various issues of concern to them Arab and continental. They also agreed to convene a joint consular and Social Affairs Committee to discuss all issues of concern to the two countries ' communities, as well as to study the establishment of a forum for Moroccan and Egyptian intellectuals, media professionals and artists to enhance cooperation and exchange experiences and expertise in the cultural field. The two ministers exchanged views on various issues of mutual interest, and reiterated the importance of achieving effective international cooperation to confront all cross-border security threats, including terrorism, extremism and cybercrime, as well as continuing coordination and cooperation within the framework of the Mediterranean region to enhance efforts to achieve sustainable development, security and stability, combat terrorism and comprehensively address the issue of migration. Minister Shoukry affirmed his country's position in support of the territorial integrity of the kingdom of Morocco and its commitment to the UN solution to the issue of the Sahara and its support for the Security Council resolutions, the latest of which was resolution 2602 (2021), which welcomed the serious and credible Moroccan efforts aimed at moving forward towards a political settlement. Sameh Shoukry briefed his Moroccan counterpart on the latest developments related to the Grand Renaissance Dam(GERD),where Bourita stressed Morocco's full support for Egyptian water security as an integral part of Arab Water Security and urged the abandonment of unilateral policies in connection with international rivers. Bourita stressed the need to abide by the commitments under international law, including the declaration of Principles agreement signed in 2015, which would not take any unilateral actions regarding the filling and operation of the GERD, and the need for the parties to cooperate in good faith to reach without delay a binding legal agreement on the rules of filling and operation in line with the presidential statement issued by the Security Council in September 2021. The two sides reaffirmed the Arab and international constants relating to the establishment of an independent state of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital on the borders of the Fourth of June 1967, living side by side with Israel, in accordance with the relevant international resolutions. In this context. Foreign Minister Shoukry praised the role of the Al-Quds Committee chaired by King Mohammed VI in supporting the steadfastness of Jerusalemites and preserving the Arab and Islamic character of Jerusalem, its legal status and its cultural and symbolic status as a land of coexistence between the three religions.
