Morocco-Spain: Hammouchi–Pardo meeting marks INTERPOL summit in Marrakesh
- Exemplary cooperation
- Morocco consolidates its leadership in INTERPOL
- Strategic agreements with Europe, Africa and Asia
- UN and Africa behind the Moroccan model
Morocco not only participates in global security management, but is also a fundamental pillar in promoting it.
Within the framework of the 93rd INTERPOL General Assembly (GA) held in Marrakesh, the Director General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance of Morocco, Abdellatif Hammouchi, and the Director General of the Spanish National Police, Francisco Pardo Piqueras, highlighted the strength of the relations that both considered ‘exemplary’ and the role of Rabat as ‘an indispensable partner for Spain, Europe and the world’.
Exemplary cooperation
The head of Spanish security confirmed the solidity and strength of the ‘Morocco-Spain axis’. Pardo pointed out that ‘cooperation between Spain and Morocco is a model of efficiency’. He added that the influence of the intelligence services ‘has made a substantial difference’.
He highlighted Morocco's collaboration in the fight against terrorism, organised crime and human trafficking, especially in dismantling the mafias that send people to Europe via the main migration routes.
Pardo also highlighted Morocco's contribution to police structures for dismantling terrorist cells.
At the same time, Pardo congratulated Hammouchi on the organisation of the 93rd GA and stressed that the meeting will be considered ‘an event that will determine global security’. The relationship is based on two essential principles: mutual respect and full trust.
Morocco consolidates its leadership in INTERPOL
After the strategic axis with Spain, Hammouchi had a busy schedule with 43 bilateral meetings requested by various countries as a result of Morocco's good policing practices. These meetings addressed the fight against organised crime, cybercrime, law enforcement, and technical and intelligence cooperation.
Among the most relevant meetings were those with leading figures in European security, such as officials from Spain, France, Germany and Norway, as well as from African countries such as Ethiopia and the rest of the world. According to the DGSN statement, these meetings were organised at the request of the participating delegations, which wished to deepen exchanges on security challenges, assess existing levels of cooperation and explore new avenues for partnership.
Morocco signed an important agreement with Norway to intensify the fight against transnational organised crime. With regard to Ethiopia, the agreements signed include training, technical assistance and direct Moroccan support in the field of security.
Strategic agreements with Europe, Africa and Asia
Among the most notable meetings were talks with senior officials from Germany, Poland, Serbia, Russia, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Italy and Hungary.
On the African continent, Rabat strengthened its ties with Benin, Mauritania, Cameroon, Senegal, Gabon and other countries, consolidating its role as a reference point on the continent. In Asia, talks were held with India, China, South Korea, Turkey, Bahrain and Kuwait.
Diplomatic sources said the meetings focused on training, technical assistance and information exchange between intelligence services. These exchanges consolidated Morocco's security alliances on the continent and reinforced its role as a key partner for regional stability.
UN and Africa behind the Moroccan model
Hammouchi also met with the head of the United Nations police force and the Under-Secretary-General for Rule of Law, who expressed the United Nations' interest in strengthening its cooperation with the Moroccan services in peace missions across the African continent.
They also held talks with the Council of Arab Interior Ministers and Naif University of Security Sciences, who congratulated Morocco on its role as a pillar of security in the Sahel, where, it should be remembered, nearly half of all terrorist attacks or attempted attacks worldwide take place.
Through this series of strategic meetings, Morocco confirms more than ever its central position in the international security architecture.