Speaking at a debate on EP's hostile, blatant and recurrent attacks on the Kingdom, Haddad said that the Kingdom's problem is not with the European Union or its various institutions, but rather with MEPs known for their hostility towards Morocco.

According to him, these MEPs have taken advantage of the corruption crisis shaking the EP to create a climate of fear within the European legislative institution, pushing it to undermine Morocco's image and reputation in the media and to adopt resolutions hostile to the Kingdom.

Haddad noted that 112 anti-Morocco issues and 18 attempted amendments were raised in the EP in 2022, claiming the existence of a "systematic war" against the Kingdom.

For his part, Authenticity and Modernity Group President Ahmed Touizi said that the European Parliament has become "a platform to attack and provoke Morocco," noting that there is a joint Morocco-EU committee that MEPs have chosen to ignore and freeze in order to directly attack the Kingdom.

Touizi stressed that some MEPs do not want to defend human rights but "to attack the territorial integrity of the Kingdom," explaining this hostility by the geostrategic position that Morocco now occupies on the continent thanks to the enlightened vision of HM King Mohammed VI.

He added that the European Parliament, which is trying to "blackmail" Morocco, cannot afford to ignore the great progress made by the Kingdom in the field of human rights, knowing that the Moroccan Parliament has adopted laws to protect freedoms and human rights.

This meeting, organized by the two Houses of Parliament, examines the basis of the methodical attacks and false aggressions transmitted by the EP against the Kingdom in a systematic and presumptuous manner.

It brings together MPs, representatives of civil society, experts and lawyers to discuss the instrumentalization of the human rights issue, the attacks on the Kingdom's territorial integrity and the exploitation of the Pegasus case.

The Moroccan Parliament announced on January 23, in a joint statement issued by its two chambers, its decision to reconsider its relations with the European Parliament by subjecting them to a global reassessment in order to take firm and appropriate decisions in light of the European Parliament's recent positions on Morocco.

In this regard, the Parliament decided to set up an ad-hoc committee on the subject, composed of representatives of its two Houses, dedicated to the re-evaluation of relations with the EP.

On this occasion, "an in-depth exchange of views took place on current issues of mutual interest on the agenda of the United Nations," a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

Special attention was paid to developments in North Africa and the Sahara and Sahel regions, including the settlement of the Sahara issue, the same source said.

The speakers at this meeting, which was attended by MPs, civil society representatives, experts and lawyers, noted that the Kingdom is not required to justify or prove its innocence, rejecting how Morocco has become the subject of bidding within the EP.

The campaign waged against Morocco by a faction within the EP has led to the adoption on January 19, a non-binding resolution on respect for freedom of expression in the Kingdom, recalled House of Representatives (lower house) Speaker Rachid Talbi Alami.

In this regard, he noted that this campaign continues as isolated group of MEPs receive a supporter of separatism and terrorism within the European institution, in addition to the holding of debates on spying allegations on officials from a European country.

The list of accusations is long, as evidenced by the deliberate intention of the sponsors of hostile attacks against Morocco, he continued, stressing that the motives and objectives of this aggression are well known, as they target the international positioning of the Kingdom, its economic development and its place on the international and continental chessboard.

Referring to the freedom of expression and opinion in Morocco, Talbi Alami said that no one can doubt that the Kingdom is a state of law and institutions, a state of institutional democracy exercised by parties and trade unions through free and fair elections, noting that Moroccan political formations are as authentic and credible as their European counterparts.

This democratic life is supported by a free, plural and critical press, he argued, noting that observers, including Europeans, are aware of the uniqueness of the Moroccan model in its regional environment.

This press, including that of the partisan and independent opposition, has always contributed to the construction of public opinion since independence, he said.

Talbi Alami also deplored the "unfounded" judgments of some members of the European Parliament, based on misinformation and unverifiable data retrieved from a single source and one-sided reports prepared on request.

This meeting, organized by the two chambers of the European Parliament, examines the basis of the methodical and misleading attacks launched by the European Parliament against the Kingdom in a systematic and presumptuous manner.

It is set to discuss the instrumentalization of human rights issue, attacks against the territorial integrity of the Kingdom, and the underhand exploitation of the Pegasus case.

"This interference is not based on principles or values, but is motivated by cyclical interests and led by lobbies that are more active with the rise in energy prices," said Talbi Alami during a debate dedicated to EP's hostile, blatant and recurrent attacks against the Kingdom, organized by the two chambers of the Moroccan Parliament.

The attitude of a political current within the EP is contrary to the relations between Morocco and the EU, the Kingdom's advanced status towards the Union and all the positions and statements of European officials.

This action is also contrary to the spirit of the Morocco-EU partnership; a partnership on strategic issues for the future of the region and the world (fight against terrorism, migration management, climate change, peace), in which Morocco assumes great responsibilities, said Talbi Alami.

He recalled that the House of Representatives is linked by an EU-funded institutional twinning project with seven European parliaments, noting that this is the second twinning project funded by the EU as a sign of consideration for Moroccan democracy after a first project that linked the House with five European parliaments.

"It is a question of playing with the destiny of countries and indulging in childish behavior," he stressed, noting that partnership relations must be based on clarity, trust and mutual respect and not on patronage and contempt and denigration of partner institutions.

This meeting, organized by the two Houses of Parliament, will examine the basis of the methodical attacks and misleading accusations made by the EP against the Kingdom in a systematic and presumed manner.

It will be attended by MPs, representatives of civil society, experts and lawyers who will address the instrumentalization of the human rights issue, the targets against the territorial integrity of the Kingdom or the underhand exploitation of the Pegasus case.

Arrouchi, who chairs the Sub-Committee of the AU Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) on economic, trade and FTAA, stressed that to achieve such an objective, and beyond the cyclical effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflicting geopolitical context, "we are obliged to take up the structural challenges that handicap continental economic growth, notably climate change, problems related to debt and lack of sustainable financing and the resurgence of peace and security issues." said the diplomat who presented the Report of the PRC Sub-Committee on Economic and Trade Issues and the AfCFTA during a session held by video conference.

Arrouchi said that the report submitted to the PRC illustrates the efforts made and achievements made to address some of the above-mentioned challenges over the period January to December 2022 in the areas of economic development and trade integration.

In the area of economic development, significant progress has been made in various areas relating to the development of inclusive and sustainable financing mechanisms, strengthening domestic resource mobilization, economic research through publications and studies, harnessing the potential of tourism for socio-economic transformation, promoting entrepreneurship, private sector development and investment, developing a continental approach to quality infrastructure, and implementation of the Africa Mining Vision (AMV), the diplomat said.

"In recent months, given the acceleration of inflation, the Bank has increased its benchmark rate twice since last September. Certainly, these are tightening actions, but it should be noted that monetary conditions remain largely accommodating," said the BAM Wali in his speech at the opening of a symposium organized by the Council for Development and Solidarity (CDS), on the theme "investment and the role of the territorial State.

He also said that with a policy rate of 2.5% at the end of 2022 and inflation at 6.6% on average over the year, interest rates are negative in real terms.

To ensure a better transmission of its decisions, Jouahri stressed that central bank ensures a close monitoring through a set of surveys and regular reporting, but also a permanent dialogue with the banking system, including through a meeting it holds once a half year with the presidents of banks, and a meeting held after each meeting of the Board between BAM and the general managers of banks.

In addition, he said that BAM monitors credit conditions through two quarterly reports, one on lending rates, the other on supply conditions and changes in demand, and ensures healthy competition between banks, in addition to the establishment of many guidelines in this direction, particularly on mobility and release, noting that the Central Bank is finalizing with the Professional Group of Banks of Morocco (GPBM) a comparator of tariff conditions for greater transparency.

This meeting, organized by the two Houses of the Parliament, will examine the basis of methodical attacks and misleading aggressions by the EP against the Kingdom in a systematic and assumed way.

This conference is attended by parliamentarians, representatives of civil society, experts and lawyers, who will address the instrumentalization of the human rights issue, the targets against the territorial integrity of the Kingdom or the underhanded exploitation of the Pegasus affair as on the agenda of the EP.

It should be noted that Morocco's Parliament had announced, in a joint statement of its two Houses on January 23, its decision to reconsider its relations with the European Parliament by subjecting them to an overall assessment, aimed at taking firm and appropriate decisions, following the latest positions of the European Parliament towards Morocco.

In this regard, the Parliament had decided to create an ad-hoc thematic committee devoted to the re-assessment of relations with the EP and composed of representatives of both Houses of Parliament.

For its part, the MASI.20 index gained 2.08% to 860.11 pts and the MASI.ESG increased by 1.94% to 814.42 pts.

At the international level, the FTSE CSE Morocco 15, composed of the 15 main values of the Casablanca Stock Exchange, classified by market capitalization, as well as the FTSE CSE Morocco All-Liquid, a benchmark index that tracks the performance of all liquid securities of the Stock Exchange, rose respectively 2.27%, to 9,835.54 pts and 1.86%, to 8,939.24 pts.

Speaking at the opening of a symposium organized by the Council for Development and Solidarity (CDS), on the theme "investment and role of the territorial State", Jazouli said that the Investment Charter which came into being thanks to the High Directions of HM King Mohammed VI offers several schemes and instruments, especially after the adoption of the framework law 03-22, and the first decree of implementation of this new law.

In this sense, the Minister stressed that this framework law is based on 3 axes, namely: support mechanisms for investment, improving the business climate, and a unified governance and territorialized investment.

He also said that the new Investment Charter establishes a comprehensive support system through 4 schemes, including premiums up to 30% of the amount of investment, common premiums for investments in line with the Royal High Guidelines, the goals of the new development model (NMD) and the government program, as well as a territorial premium to encourage the least favored provinces, and a sectoral premium dedicated to priority sectors.

Jazouli also highlighted the arrangements for strategic projects through specific support measures, especially for projects with a sovereign character or with a capacity to attract ecosystems, adding that these strategic projects benefit from benefits negotiated on a case by case basis.

For his part, the Wali of Bank Al-Maghrib (BAM), Abdellatif Jouahri, stressed that this meeting addresses a central and topical issue for Morocco, especially in this post-Covid era where the unfavorable international environment and its uncertain prospects weigh on economic activity and inhibit private initiative.

He also noted that over the past two decades, the Kingdom has made a significant effort in terms of investment which reaches, according to data from national accounts, around 30% of gross domestic product (GDP), noting however that the same period, growth has averaged 3.8% per year, with a weakening of its pace from 4.7% between 2000 and 2010 to 2.8% between 2011 and 2021.

In this regard, he said that Morocco is making a significant and constant investment effort, but which so far gives rise to "an insufficient economic growth, downward trend, with an employment content increasingly low and whose benefits do not benefit equally to all regions."

On this occasion, the diplomat met with the Head of Government and Industry Relations at Ericsson, Mikael Halen, about the existing partnership between the Swedish giant and Moroccan telecommunications companies, welcoming its development over the years.

During this visit, Medrek took part in a hybrid meeting, held from Rabat with the Vice President and Head of the Customer Unit West Africa & Morocco, Nora Wahby, as well as with the Head of Government and Industry Relations for West, South and East Africa, Jean-François Le Bihan.

Medrek took the opportunity to recall the initiatives undertaken by the Kingdom in accelerating the digital transformation, during the period of the pandemic, to ensure the continuity of public and private services (teleworking, distance learning, e-commerce and e-governance ...).

The Moroccan diplomat also highlighted Morocco’s willingness to set itself up as a digital destination internationally, noting that the kingdom is working to create a global digital dynamic for an efficient public administration, an innovation-oriented economy and an inclusive knowledge society based on digital.

For their part, Ericsson officials praised Morocco’s progress in information technology and communication and its efforts to develop telecom infrastructure at regional level.

They recalled that, according to the latest edition of Ericsson's mobility report, Morocco is among the 15 emerging markets with economic, social and environmental benefits of 5G connectivity.

Presenting Ericsson's activities in Morocco, Wahby welcomed the existing cooperation with Moroccan universities in the areas of ICT skills development and digital learning and innovation.

In the context of the technological revolution and the networked society, Medrek invited the Swedish giant to capitalize on the achievements of the partnership with Morocco for the development of new areas of cooperation, especially in the fields of education and training, green and digital transition and health.