Morocco-France cooperation in the fight against terrorism & organized crime, exchange of intelligence discussed in Paris

Means and ways to strengthen Moroccan-French cooperation in the fight against terrorism and organized crime, and to promote coordination and exchange of intelligence on various threats posed by extremist organizations and transnational crime networks were at the focus of talks held in Paris this week between Director-General of National Security (DGSN) and Territorial Surveillance (DGST), Mr. Abdellatif Hammouchi, and officials of several French security services.

Abdellatif Hammouchi, who paid a working visit to Paris June 26-28 at the official invitation of the French security services, held talks with his French counterparts of the National Police and Internal Security, as well as with Director-General of External Security of France and was awarded the Gold Medal of Honor by the French National Police.

Moroccan-French talks focused on mechanisms to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various security fields of mutual interest, said the DGSN-DGST in a statement made public Friday.

The DGSN-DGST Chief held a series of meetings with Céline BERTHON, and Nicolas LERNER, respectively Director-General of Internal Security, and Director-General of External Security of France.

The talks explored means and ways to strengthen cooperation in the fight against terrorism and organized crime, and to promote coordination and exchange of intelligence and operational data on various threats posed by extremist organizations and transnational crime networks, the statement said.

Hammouchi also held intensive discussions with Fréderic VEAUX, Director General of the French National Police that examined mechanisms for advanced cooperation and coordination between the two sides in various security fields. A special focus was laid on the development of proactive mechanisms for risk assessment and data exchange, the perspective being joint action in securing the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, the statement noted.

In tribute to the exemplary Morocco-France cooperation in various security areas, the DGSN-DGST Director-General was awarded the Gold Medal of Honor by the French National Police, in recognition of his efforts to consolidate and bolster security cooperation.

The visit provided an opportunity for the French and Moroccan sides to discuss ways to further strengthen their cooperation in a wide range of areas to combat transnational crime, especially smuggling of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, illegal migration and human trafficking networks, as well as practical mechanisms for cooperation in implementing joint security measures and operations.

The visit attests to the importance of boosting security cooperation between Morocco and France, which share many bilateral action and coordination programs and face common security challenges, the statement added.

It is also part of the engagement of Moroccan security services in international security cooperation to ensure effective contribution to combating terrorist and criminal threats at the regional and international levels.