Morocco-Spain shared security challenges discussed in Madrid
Security challenges faced by both Morocco and Spain and other issues of common interest were reviewed at a meeting in Madrid Monday between the two countries’ Interior Ministers Abdelouafi Laftit and Fernando Grande-Marlaska.
During this in-depth dialogue, the two officials underlined the richness and fluidity of bilateral cooperation in security matters and highlighted the significant results achieved, particularly in preventing criminal and terrorist schemes threatening both shores of the Mediterranean, a joint statement issued following the meeting said.
The two sides agreed to further strengthen anticipation capacities, operational coordination and mechanisms to exchange information and expertise.
Tackling migration, the two officials reiterated the importance of active solidarity between their respective countries in the fight against migrants’ smuggling and human trafficking, and emphasized the convergence of their approaches to encouraging regular and organized migratory flows, which bring peoples closer together and strengthen civilizational ties.
They also praised the concrete and integrated initiatives led within the framework of the Permanent Mixed Migration Group, which holds a key spot in this cooperation.
The two officials also welcomed the success of the Marhaba/Transit 2024 operation, before discussing preparations for the 2025 edition. This exemplary operation is a model of harmonious cooperation between the institutions of the two countries, they underlined. In this respect, they paid tribute to the decisive role played by the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity in the success of this operation, the joint statement emphasized.
With regard to managing major international events, the two officials discussed coordination around the organization of the 2030 World Cup, jointly by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, and stressed the importance of optimizing synergies between the three host countries to ensure the full success of this global event.
The two ministers also praised the spirit of solidarity and commitment that unites the Moroccan and Spanish peoples, recently illustrated by the dispatch of Spanish rescue and intervention teams following the earthquake in Al Haouz, and Moroccan teams during the floods that affected the Valencian community.
Abdelouafi Laftit and Fernando Grande-Marlaska expressed their satisfaction with the excellent partnership between the two countries, the fruit of earnest relations of friendship and mutual respect between King Mohammed VI and King Don Felipe VI, as well as between the two Royal Families.
This partnership has been given renewed strategic impetus thanks to the ambitious and sustainable roadmap adopted on April 7, 2022, following talks between King Mohammed VI and President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, the joint statement said.