Morocco Expands Influence in Central America, Outpacing Spain in Regional Diplomacy

Morocco joined the Central American Parliament on June 16, 2015, after signing the accession agreement in Rabat by the presidents of the House of Representatives and the House of Advisors. On February 27, Hayat Laaraych, Morocco’s new permanent observer to this parliament, was sworn in. She replaces Ahmed Lakhrif in this position, reports El Debate.

During a meeting with Lakhrif, the president of PARLACEN, Amado Cerrud Acevedo, highlighted Morocco’s place and its geostrategic position, which make it "an entry point to the countries of the region for greater cooperation and rapprochement with African and Arab countries." Acevedo also stressed "the importance of taking advantage of Morocco’s experiences, particularly in the field of renewable energies and in terms of migration policy."

Addressing the Sahara issue, the president of the Central American parliament indicated that his institution "supports all peaceful solutions and initiatives promoting coexistence." Lakhrif, Morocco’s former representative to PARLACEN, in turn, recalled King Mohammed VI’s strategic option to give priority to strengthening South-South cooperation and mainly to "consolidating ties with Latin American parliaments."

Meanwhile, Spain, which is more linked to this region by language than Morocco, has not applied to join this Central American regional integration body. Morocco, which continues to claim Ceuta and Melilla, probably needs allies in these countries where the left has grievances against Spain because of its "colonial past." Spain will therefore have to urgently review its foreign policy in Central America. It should be noted that China, Mexico, Venezuela and Puerto Rico are also permanent observers at PARLACEN.