The establishment of this group reflects a strong desire to deepen ties between the two nations, as highlighted by Morocco's ambassador to Panama, Bouchra Boudchiche, during a ceremony held for this occasion.

The diplomat emphasized that the creation of this friendship group marks a significant turning point in Morocco-Panama relations and demonstrates the commitment of both countries to enhancing cooperation, particularly in political, economic, and cultural fields, according to a statement from Morocco's embassy in Panama.

This initiative comes at a crucial time, marked by the Panamanian government’s decision to suspend its recognition of the so-called "sadr", she noted during the ceremony, which was attended by several Panamanian parliamentarians. She added that this decision strongly supports the Kingdom's position on the Moroccan Sahara issue.

She further stated that these positive developments open new opportunities for strengthening bilateral cooperation to serve the interests of both Moroccan and Panamanian peoples, as emphasized by HM King Mohammed VI in his message of thanks to Panama’s President, José Raúl Mulino Quintero. In the message, the Sovereign highlighted a sincere desire to deepen ties of friendship and cooperation with Panama in all areas for the benefit of both nations.

In line with this approach, the foreign ministers of the two countries held a videoconference on November 27, focusing on enhancing cooperation in various fields such as agriculture, logistics, renewable energy, sustainable development, education, culture, and migration. They also discussed the strategic roles of Morocco and Panama as bridges between Africa and Latin America, according to the same source.

Ambassador Boudchiche also noted that the involvement of Moroccan and Panamanian MPs in this friendship group will be central to this new dynamic, particularly through the strengthening of inter-parliamentary relations, solidarity, exchange of expertise, and the development of bilateral cooperation in diverse sectors.

Parliamentary diplomacy plays a vital role in fostering closer ties between peoples and countries, she said, adding that parliamentarians have become influential actors in international relations. Parliamentary friendship groups serve as essential tools for achieving these goals by facilitating exchanges of legislative experience, adopting best practices, and promoting multi-sectoral bilateral cooperation.

They also help establish strong ties between parliamentarians from different countries, creating long-term cooperation networks. Additionally, these groups enable citizens to engage in international cooperation issues, expressing their opinions and concerns through their representatives.

For their part, Panamanian parliamentarians welcomed the establishment of this friendship group, which reflects a strong commitment to enhancing cooperation between Morocco and Panama.

They stressed the importance of strengthening collaboration in all areas and on issues of mutual interest. They noted that the creation of the Morocco-Panama Parliamentary Friendship Group is a crucial step toward bolstering relations between the legislative institutions of both countries. The group will also offer opportunities for experience-sharing and enhanced dialogue on common interests.

In this regard, Eduardo Vásquez, the president of the Panama-Morocco Parliamentary Friendship Group, underscored the importance of such groups as mechanisms to promote diplomatic relations between peoples. He commended Morocco’s participation in this initiative, which facilitates the exchange of experiences between legislative institutions and strengthens bonds of friendship and solidarity.

He highlighted the goal of drawing inspiration from successful development models, such as Morocco’s, and encouraged parliamentarians from both countries to contribute to strengthening bilateral cooperation.

The Panamanian parliamentarian also expressed his country’s interest in benefiting from Morocco’s expertise in various sectors, including water resource management, agriculture, and fertilizers.

The ceremony was attended by several Panamanian deputies and high-ranking officials, including the secretary and vice-president of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the National Assembly, as well as members of the friendship group, according to the statement.

This marks the first parliamentary friendship group established during the term of Panama’s new National Assembly, reflecting the importance Panama places on strengthening its relations with Morocco, the statement concluded.