Canary Islands thank Morocco for drop in illegal arrivals

The government of the Canary Islands said Morocco’s efforts to counter migrant trafficking networks resulted in a 30% drop in illegal arrivals to the Spanish archipelago.

The head of the Canary Islands government Ángel Víctor Torres praised the approach of Prime Minister Sanchez to improve ties with Morocco ahead of the joint Spanish-Moroccan summit, Europa Press reported.

Morocco and Spain ended a year-long dispute in April last year after Madrid ended a decades-long ambiguity on the Sahara issue voicing a straightforward support for Morocco’s autonomy plan.

Spanish media said their country started the reap the benefits of improved ties with Morocco with a 26% drop in illegal arrivals in the country last year at 31,219.

“Morocco is a neighbor and a strategic partner for Spain and Europe, we share with Morocco migration management, fight against terrorism and a commitment to co-development as well as an interest towards Africa,” said Spanish foreign minister Albares.