Counterterrorism, organized crime, major sporting events at the focus of Moroccan-German security talks in Berlin
Ways and means to strengthen security cooperation between Rabat and Berlin in counterterrorism, struggle against organized cross-border crime, and security measures during major sporting events were at the focus of talks held this week in Berlin by Director General of the DGSN-DGST (Moroccan police and intelligence services), Abdellatif Hammouchi, with senior officials of the German Federal Police and the Federal Criminal Police Office
Hammouchi, who paid a visit to Berlin June 24 to 26 at the invitation of the German side, thus conferred with Dieter Romann, head of the German Federal Police (Bundespolizei, BPol), and Holger Münch, president of the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), as well as with several high-ranking German security officials responsible for counterterrorism and for security during the organization of major sporting events, as Germany is currently hosting the Euro 2024 and Morocco will host the African CAN 2025 and the 2030 World Cup.
A statement from the DGSN-DGST notes that these meetings focused on assessing security cooperation between Morocco and Germany, discussing security issues of common interest, and addressing regional and international security challenges.
During the trip, the head of the DGSN-DGST visited the headquarters of the Joint Counter-Terrorism Center (GTAZ) in Berlin, where he was informed about the center’s coordination mechanisms and methods among various German security agencies and explored ways of cooperation between this institution and Moroccan national security services regarding cross-border terrorist threats.
The security during the organization of major sporting events was also part of the discussions between Hammouchi and the German officials. The discussions centered on cooperation mechanisms, and sharing expertise and technical assistance between the two parties in securing major events, the statement added. On this occasion, the head of the DGSN-DGST was briefed on the security arrangements and safety and protection standards adopted by Berlin police to secure the UEFA Cup 2024, currently organized by Germany.
In this connection, Hammouchi and his accompanying delegation of senior DGSN and DGST officials, accompanied by the president of the German Federal Criminal Police Office, conducted a field visit to the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, which hosts some Euro matches. They examined the security equipment and measures put in place and visited the Police Operations Management Center that oversees safety and security protocols during this soccer event.
These various visits are part of the advanced preparations of Moroccan security services for upcoming continental and international security and sporting events that the Kingdom is preparing to host, the statement emphasizes. These events will begin next year with Morocco hosting the 93rd edition of the Interpol General Assembly, followed by the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 World Cup, jointly organized by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal.
This official visit testifies to the importance of security cooperation between Morocco and Germany, given the many security areas of common interest, and reflects the firm commitment of DGSN and DGST to international efforts to neutralize risks and threats to the regional and international security of both countries, the statement said.
