France awards Hammouchi the Legion of Honour medal

Abdellatif Hammouchi, Director General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance (DGSN-DGST), received the medal and certificate of the Order of the Legion of Honour in the rank of officer in France from the Moroccan ambassador to France, Christophe Lecourtier, based on requests from the French directors general of security and, in particular, his French counterpart, Louis Laugier, for his tireless fight against international terrorism and organised crime.

In addition, several cooperation agreements were signed at the meeting and a common roadmap was agreed upon. 

In the words of the Director General of the French National Police, Louis Laugier, the effectiveness of the Moroccan intelligence services and the quality of security cooperation between Morocco, France and the European Union is of the highest level. 

Laugier expressed his sincere gratitude for the role played by the National Security and Territorial Surveillance services in protecting France's security against the terrorist threat. This includes the search and capture of several individuals wanted by the French justice system in connection with organised crime, as well as security support during the Olympic Games in Paris. Among these, French Minister of Justice Gérald Darmanin highlighted Morocco's support in the arrest in Marrakech of the criminals who were responsible for the escape from the country of one of France's most dangerous drug traffickers, Mohamed Amra. 

He also expressed France's willingness to offer all necessary support to the Moroccan police in security protocols to ensure the safety of any international sporting events that Morocco may organise in the future. 

In the same vein, the Moroccan ambassador to France, Christophe Lecourtier, said in a press release that the visits by Moroccan officials to France correspond to the establishment of a common roadmap in the fight against organised and cross-border crime. 

This partnership is not limited to a simple technical exchange. It reflects a strategic alliance based on trust, effectiveness and a shared commitment to combating terrorism, organised crime and transnational threats. 

This action plan lays the foundations for greater cooperation with joint groups to track, strengthen and facilitate the exchange of technical information between the two intelligence services. It will also institutionalise the distinguished cooperation mechanisms that have been established over decades between the Moroccan and French security services. 

‘The importance of this joint plan lies in the fact that it will institutionalise the exemplary cooperation mechanisms that have existed for decades between the Moroccan and French security services, and will also promote the development and expansion of the areas of this cooperation, including the possibility of creating joint working groups to address the various challenges related to organised crime, including the tracking of fugitives and internationally wanted persons,’ 

Abdellatif Hammouchi during his speech after being decorated as an officer of the Legion of Honour. 

Finally, it was announced that the French authorities present at the event, together with their diplomatic teams, will travel to Morocco to hold talks. Although no dates were specified, it was reported that the meeting will take place in 2025.