Spain and Germany designate Morocco as a key partner in a tripartite security alliance

Germany and Spain have designated Morocco as a strategic partner to consolidate a trilateral security alliance, with the aim of strengthening collaboration in the fight against terrorism and transnational organised crime. This decision was taken following the official visit of Abdellatif Hammouchi, Director General of National Security (DGSN) and Surveillance of the National Territory (DGST), to Madrid on 28 and 29 January. 

During his visit, and at the request of the Director General of the Spanish National Police, Hammouchi participated in high-level bilateral and trilateral meetings with security authorities from Spain and Germany, including talks with the President of the German Federal Police (Bundespolizei). 

The meetings focused on strengthening security cooperation in various areas, such as the fight against terrorism and violent extremism, illegal immigration, human trafficking networks, drug trafficking and cybercrime. 

The three parties emphasised the importance of exchanging information, experiences and best practices, particularly in the area of security at major sporting events, in anticipation of the joint organisation of the 2030 FIFA World Cup by Morocco, Spain and Portugal. 

The security chiefs from Spain and Germany highlighted Morocco's experience in the fight against terrorism and organised crime, expressing their full confidence that this trilateral alliance will play a crucial role in strengthening security and stability in the region. 

For his part, Hammouchi reaffirmed Morocco's commitment to working closely with its international partners to address shared security challenges, stressing that this alliance will strengthen security coordination and enhance the operational capabilities of the three parties. 

This initiative forms part of international efforts to strengthen security cooperation and combat terrorist and criminal threats, reaffirming Morocco's key role as a strategic security partner at both the regional and international levels.

At the end of the meeting, several thematic meetings were held with the participation of security experts from Morocco and Spain, as well as heads of specific security departments. During these sessions, the need to strengthen advanced cooperation mechanisms between the DGST and the General Information Commission of the Spanish Police was emphasised, especially with regard to consolidating collaboration in the fight against the terrorist threat and dismantling the sources of recruitment of extremist organisations. 

Moroccan and Spanish experts also addressed various ways of strengthening bilateral cooperation in key areas such as criminal investigation, the judicial police and the fight against the multiple forms of crime that threaten the borders of both countries. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of combating crimes such as human trafficking, illegal immigration, narcotics and psychotropic drug trafficking, as well as economic and financial crimes, not forgetting cybercrimes that affect automated data processing systems.