Algeria Boycotts Parliamentary Forum in Morocco, Continuing Diplomatic Tensions

Jointly organized by the House of Councillors of Morocco and the Union of Senates, Shura Councils and Assimilated Councils in Africa and the Arab world, the Forum is being held on February 15 and 16 in Rabat and has been placed under the theme "Role of national parliaments, regional and continental parliamentary unions in Africa, the Arab world and Latin America in promoting strategic partnerships and achieving integration, inclusion and common development".

Since its unilateral decision to sever diplomatic relations with Morocco, Algeria has boycotted several international meetings and conferences organized in the kingdom. Tebboune’s country was conspicuous by its absence at the Arab-Russian Cooperation Forum organized in Marrakech last December.

This meeting is part of Morocco’s dynamic to strengthen South-South cooperation, says a statement from the House of Councillors, stressing that this Forum aims to strengthen collaboration between legislative institutions "at a time when the world is facing multidimensional and successive crises".

The Forum will address themes and issues related to development, trade, economic transformation, investment, technology, innovation, energy, health, food and water security. Recommendations will be formulated and adopted at the end of the proceedings.