BRUSSELS, March 22 (KUNA) — The President of the European Parliament (EP) Martin Schulz will be leading a delegation of 25 MEPs on his first official visit outside of the EU to Rabat, Morocco, on Saturday and Sunday where he will also participate in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean.
“I am convinced that a comprehensive partnership with the southern shore of the Mediterranean can be an incredible lever to re-ignite growth for the EU, Northern Africa and the Middle East, he said in a statement here Thursday.
Schulz noted that with the recent vote on the trade agreement with Morocco, the European Parliament proved that it is serious about improving relations with its southern neighbours.
“Our support for democratic reforms and transformations in the Mediterranean region needs to be accompanied with tangible actions,” he stressed.
“Parliamentary dialogue is a key element of this strategy. Parliament are the real gatekeepers of the Euro-Mediterranean project,” Schulz added.
The Union for the Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly’s eighth plenary session takes place under the Moroccan Presidency, which will then hand over the Presidency to the EP for one year. (end) nk.gb KUNA 222111 Mar 12NNNN
