Morocco-Spain cooperation in security, migration realms marked by ‘high level of efficiency’ – Spanish Interior Minister

Cooperation in the security and migration fields between Morocco and Spain is marked by a “high level of efficiency”, Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said on Friday in Rabat.

“Collaboration between Rabat and Madrid is marked by a high level of efficiency, particularly in the fight against irregular migration, human trafficking, drug trafficking and organized crime,” Grande-Marlaska told the media following talks in Rabat Friday with his Moroccan peer Abdelouafi Laftit.

Referring to the migration issue, the Spanish official, who is making his first visit abroad after the inauguration of the new government, said that the aim of cooperation between the two countries is to save human lives, combat human trafficking networks and promote legal, safe, and orderly migration.

Highlighting the importance of the close cooperation relations between Morocco and Spain, which include a number of common issues and challenges, Grande-Marlaska commended the “exemplary” level of cooperation in the fight against terrorism, recalling that the authorities of both countries carried out 14 joint operations against terrorist cells last year.

These operations resulted in the arrest of 80 people, he said, adding that this was a “clear and obvious” illustration of the effectiveness and efficiency of cooperation between the Moroccan and Spanish security services.

Praising the very fraternal relations between his country and Morocco, the Spanish minister also emphasized the importance of cooperation in the field of civil protection, particularly regarding post-natural disaster response and the exchange of best practices in this area.

Grande-Marlaska also welcomed the success of the “Marhaba 2023” transit operation for Moroccans expatriates living in Europe, which he described as another illustration of “intense and exemplary” bilateral cooperation.

Touching on the joint organization of the 2030 FIFA World Cup by Morocco, Spain and Portugal, he said that it confirmed the excellence of relations between the three countries. He expressed his conviction that it would be the “best World Cup ever.”

In an exclusive interview with MAP news agency, the Spanish minister said that “the foundations of cooperation between Morocco and Spain have been built over the years on shared goals and principles, within a framework of mutual trust and absolute loyalty, which enabled both parties to develop means of interaction in a spirit of effectiveness and efficiency.”

The Spanish official highlighted the importance of the talks held with his Moroccan peer which addressed several issues with focus on security matters. He described as “very high” the level of collaboration and understanding between the two countries on ways to tackle common challenges.

According to the Spanish Minister, the choice of Morocco as the venue for his first visit abroad following the investiture of the new Spanish government translates the fraternal and vital nature of relations between the two parties.

In this sense, he said that bilateral cooperation was “very important” for the security of both countries’ societies, and that communication between the two Interior Ministries was permanent and direct.

For Spain, Morocco is a “strategic partner” in several areas, including security, economics, industry, and culture, noted Grande-Marlaska, describing as “very important” the work carried out by Moroccan security services in the fight against terrorism, which is, he said, “a source of concern for both Morocco and Spain, particularly given the instability and presence of terrorist groups in some countries in the Sahel region.”