Morocco and Belgium resolved to boost their strategic partnership in migration, terrorism, crime…

Visiting Belgian Federal Minister of the Interior, Annelies Verlinden, and Moroccan Minister of the Interior, Abdelouafi Laftit, have discussed in Rabat Monday means to strengthen bilateral cooperation, and strategic partnership in migration, terrorism, crime, and other sectors of common interests.

During the meeting, which was attended by the Belgian State Secretary for Asylum and Migration, Nicole de Moor, and senior officials from both ministries, discussions revolved around combating terrorism, extremism, and irregular migration, the Interior Ministry said in a press release.

The two ministers shared their convergent analysis on multifaceted regional and international issues and agreed to strengthen the exchange of expertise and useful information to better anticipate the multifaceted threats and common challenges induced by the criminal activities of terrorist groups and networks which are active in different forms of cross-border trafficking, the press release added.

In counterterrorism, Laftit reviewed Morocco’s overall strategy which combines the operational fight and the exchange of information with the preventive approach, particularly against radicalization, as well as reintegration aspects.

In the field of migration, he underlined Morocco’s holistic and humanist approach to migration governance which puts the migrant at the center of public authorities.

Laftit also recalled Morocco’s active solidarity and its major efforts in terms of border control and the fight against all forms of cross-border crime, which reflects the Kingdom’s major contribution to regional security.

The two sides emphasized the role of the Permanent Joint Migratory Group set up by the two countries to achieve qualitative and coordinated advances, reconciling all the synergies and sectoral logic around a global and balanced approach to migration management.

Discussions also highlighted the positive role of the Moroccan community in Belgium, which constitutes a vector of human and civilizational rapprochement between the two countries, the press release said.

Following the meeting, Annelies Verlinden praised the already close collaboration between Morocco and Belgium, particularly on security matters. “There is already significant information exchange between our police and security services, and we have discussed ways to strengthen this collaboration to jointly combat organized crime, terrorism, extremism, and human trafficking,” she said.

Annelies Verlinden arrived in Rabat on Sunday evening as part of the delegation accompanying the Belgian Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo, for a visit to the Kingdom to take part in the Morocco-Belgium Joint High Commission meeting.

The joint high commission meeting, co-chaired by PM Alexander De Croo and Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, highlighted by the signing of two memoranda of understanding on judicial and police cooperation and a roadmap for the implementation of the 2022 Joint Declaration.
A Cooperation Convention in the fight against organized crime and terrorism entered into force in 2022, and the two countries are bound by a 2022-2024 action plan in the field of police cooperation.

The Joint Commission meeting was also marked by the signing of a memorandum of understanding on green energies, meant to strengthen cooperation in the field of energy transition.

In this connection, the two sides expressed resolve to cooperate on climate and energy transition through the development of renewable energies and green molecules. They also agreed to enhance cooperation in water management, infrastructure, transport, trade, and investments.

PM Alexander De Croo and his accompanying delegation were guest to a lunchgeon hosted in their honor by King Mohammed V.