Spain and Morocco strengthen security cooperation

The Spanish Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, and his Moroccan counterpart, Abdelouafi Laftit, addressed the strengthening of security cooperation earlier this week in Madrid.  

According to a joint statement issued after the meeting, both sides have agreed to continue strengthening prevention capabilities, operational coordination and exchange mechanisms. 

Likewise, Rabat and Madrid emphasised ‘the richness and fluidity of bilateral cooperation in this area’, highlighting the significant achievements, especially in the fight against criminal and terrorist organisations that threaten both shores of the Mediterranean. ‘Our commitment and will is to continue strengthening this path of mutual trust to continue fighting terrorism, violent radicalisation and organised crime,’ Grande-Marlaska declared. 

With regard to the migration issue, both ministers emphasised the importance of active solidarity between their respective countries in the fight against migrant smuggling and human trafficking. 

The Spanish Minister of the Interior wanted to thank his Moroccan counterpart for Rabat's ‘solid commitment’ in the fight against human trafficking mafias and praised his status as a ‘loyal and reliable partner’ of Spain and the European Union in the current context of migratory pressure on the European continent. 

In this sense, they emphasised the joint approaches to promote regular and organised migratory flows, considered as ‘means of bringing peoples closer together and of reinforcing the ties between both cultures’.  

On the other hand, Laftit and Grande-Marlaska reviewed the current concrete initiatives within the framework of the Permanent Joint Migration Group (GMPM), which occupies a central role in this association. 

In addition, the two ministers expressed their satisfaction with the quality of the relationship that unites the two nations, based on sincere friendship and mutual respect between their respective heads of state and the Royal Courts. This alliance has gained renewed strategic momentum thanks to the lasting roadmap adopted on 7 April 2022 between King Mohammed VI and the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, which is currently being implemented. 

Security cooperation between Morocco and Spain has been key to addressing several common challenges in this area, such as the fight against terrorism, organised crime, drug trafficking and human trafficking networks. This alliance has been strengthened especially in recent years, with both nations recognising the importance of working together to face growing joint threats.  

Furthermore, Laftit and Grande-Marlaska also expressed their satisfaction at the success of Operation Marhaba-Strait Crossing 2024 and have begun to address preparations for the 2025 edition. This exemplary operation has established itself as a model of fruitful cooperation between the institutions of both countries, with the decisive role played by the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity in the success of this operation also standing out. 

This meeting comes two weeks after Abdellatif Hammouchi, Director General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance, took part in a tripartite meeting with Germany in Spain to strengthen security collaboration. 

This tripartite meeting was held in the face of growing regional and international security challenges between Africa and the Mediterranean basin. Its aim was to exchange views on various security issues of common interest and to evaluate the results of bilateral cooperation in this area between Rabat and Berlin, especially following Hammouchi's visit to Germany last June. 

During the meeting, the parties involved emphasised the importance of improving cooperation in several areas, in a way that allows for the neutralisation and prevention of growing regional and international risks and threats. 

This approach is based on the exchange of knowledge, experience and good practice to ensure the protection of major sporting events and create a secure environment conducive to their success, particularly in the context of Morocco and Spain's preparations, together with Portugal, to organise the 2030 FIFA World Cup. 

In this context, Morocco and Spain are planning to create a joint security committee to anticipate the various security challenges related to the shared organisation of the sporting event.