Romania recognises Morocco's important role in security matters
Romania has recognised Morocco's strong commitment to regional and global security. In recognition of his role in "strengthening regional security", the President of Romania, Klaus Werner Iohannis, awarded Mohammed Yassin Mansouri, Director General of the Moroccan Directorate General of Research and Documentation (DGED), the "Star of Romania" medal in the rank of senior officer.
In this line, Moroccan collaboration in security and intelligence matters has been recognised by Klaus Werner Iohannis, who issued a presidential decree nominating the General Directorate of Investigation and Documentation, in the person of its director general Mohammed Yassine Mansouri, to receive the highest national honours. Precisely, the DGED is the body in charge of Morocco's foreign intelligence service.
This recognition comes months after the Moroccan authorities contributed to the release of a Romanian hostage held in Burkina Faso. The Romanian president issued a presidential decree awarding Mansouri the National Medal "Star of Romania" in the rank of senior officer, on 11 December 2023; the document explained that this step comes as evidence of the "high recognition" of the contribution of Morocco's foreign intelligence to the "strengthening of regional security".
The official document also highlighted the work carried out by the General Directorate of Research and Documentation in the "development of relations between Morocco and Romania", noting that the Medal awarded to Mansour is one of the most relevant decorations of the Romanian country, and comes four months after the Romanian prime minister and foreign minister praised Morocco's work for the release of Romanian citizen Iulian Ghergut, who was kidnapped in April 2015 by Al-Qaeda and was considered the longest-held Western hostage in captivity in the Sahel region.
In August, Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu showed his appreciation to the Moroccan authorities in a telephone conversation with head of government Aziz Akhannouch after Moroccan intelligence helped free the Romanian hostage held in Burkina Faso.
Ciolacu commented via social media that he had a cordial dialogue with Akhannouch, expressing the aspirations of both sides to continue dialogue and build greater cooperation between the two countries, before sending a "special thanks" to the Moroccan intelligence services for their cooperation in the release of Romanian citizen Iulian Ghergut. Romanian Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu also thanked Morocco for its efforts to free the Romanian citizen who was kidnapped by Al-Qaeda.
The Romanian government thanked "all the hard work done by the inter-institutional working group, as well as the support of all our partners, especially the Moroccan authorities".
The Romanian state thus officially conveyed its thanks to Morocco for its "important support". This support is also highly valued by important nations that cooperate with Morocco in security matters, such as the United States and Spain.