Spain's Secretary of State for Migration, Pilar Cancela Rodriguez, hailed on Wednesday the “close cooperation” with Morocco in managing migration flows, the Moroccan news agency, MAP, reported.
Speaking at a press conference to outline the recently-approved reform of Spain's immigration law, Rodriguez highlighted the strong relations between the two countries, based on historical, cultural and neighborly ties, and their “exemplary” cooperation in managing human mobility.
The Spanish official noted that Morocco and Spain are working closely on circular and orderly migration projects, adding that both parties are determined to pursue their efforts along this path.
“Joint efforts of the two countries are part of this momentum,” she said.
Rodriguez also pointed out that this cooperation model is mutually beneficial, stressing the need to continue this collaboration in the future to manage migratory flows more effectively.
She emphasized the importance of regular meetings of the Moroccan-Spanish Permanent Joint Migration Group, which assesses the progress made in managing migratory flows where Morocco plays “a key role.”
Earlier, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares praised Morocco’s cooperation with Spain in combating irregular migration, highlighting the crucial role the partnership plays in addressing migration challenges and enhancing border security.
In an interview with Spanish online newspaper El Diario, Albares said Morocco is still contributing to preventing irregular migration flows, explaining that hundreds of people who tried to cross the fence in occupied Ceuta and Melilla were stopped.
He said the issue of irregular migration cannot be managed without Morocco’s help.
The Minister praised the Kingdom’s cooperation, which he said makes Rabat a strategic partner for Spain and Europe.
