Slovenian MEP to chair EU Parliament delegation for relations with Maghreb
Ljubljana, 23 February - Slovenian MEP Matjaž Nemec (S&D/SD) will chair the European Parliament delegation for relations with Maghreb countries starting in March. Nemec detailed improving relations with Morocco as one of the delegation's priorities.
Ljubljana
Slovenian MEP Matjaž Nemec.
Photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA
File Photo
Nemec is taking over after the previous chair Italian Andrea Cozzolino (S&D), suspected of involvement in the Qatargate scandal, stepped down in January.
According to Nemec, he will be the first Slovenian to chair such a large and important European Parliament delegation and the first chair from any of the small member states.
The delegation is responsible for relations with Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania and Tunisia. The Maghreb region is a sensitive region with historical and strategic importance for the EU, noted Nemec.
The Slovenian MEP said that he had been instructed by the European Parliament to improve relations between the EU and Morocco, a key player in the Qatargate scandal, after they have fallen to an all time low.
For the EU, Algeria is an important alternative to Russia in terms of natural gas, while Libya is a starting point for migrants and refugees entering Europe in the Mediterranean, said Nemec, adding that Tunisia was facing a wave of degradation of democracy.
The work of the delegation is focused on the core values of the EU, such as freedom, democracy and basic human rights. The delegation tackles current issues, like socio-economic development, issues concerning women and the youth, renewables and fight against violent extremism.