The Spanish-Moroccan statement includes "intensifying" the return of migrants and combating racism or xenophobia

MADRID, 2 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The joint declaration of the High Level Meeting (RAN) held in Rabat includes the commitment of Morocco and Spain to "intensify" the return of migrants in an irregular situation and to combat racism or xenophobia from the recognition of the "numerous positive contributions of immigrant communities.

"Both countries agree to intensify their cooperation in the field of the fight against irregular migration, border control, the fight against networks and the readmission of migrants in an irregular situation," says the text, which appeals to the responsibility of countries of origin and the European Union to deal with this phenomenon.

The statement mentions the "lessons learned" from the Covid-19 pandemic to point out that both countries are committed to putting in place a "modern management of border controls".

In point 23, they acknowledge the "many positive contributions" that immigrant communities make to both host countries and their countries of origin. "They are fully committed to combating all forms of racism, xenophobia and any other type of discrimination against immigrant populations," they add.

Within the commitment to human rights and within the framework of the United Nations, Spain and Morocco say they are determined to "strengthen" the fight against international terrorism, "which is essential for the security and stability of the Euro-Mediterranean region and globally". .

Both countries express their "deepest condemnation of terrorist acts, whether inside or outside their territories, as well as any form of violence that threatens the rights and freedoms of citizens."

Spain and Morocco congratulate themselves on the results obtained in the fight against terrorism", continues the statement of a RAN that was held a week after the jihadist attack in Algeciras (Cádiz) that left a sacristan dead.

In point 24, Spain states that it welcomes the effective operational cooperation with Morocco in the area of ​​circular and regular migration, "which has become an international model". Citing the Marrakech Pact and the Rabat Process, they reiterate their common commitment "in favor of a dynamic mobility that allows the fluid and orderly movement of people".

They also express their satisfaction with their collaboration and coordination in 2022 during "Operation Paso del Estrecho/Marhaba", the first after the pandemic. This joint operation has facilitated the movement of almost three million people and 700,000 vehicles, making it one of the largest people movement management programs in the world.

Spain and Morocco also reaffirm their commitment to the work of the OSCE Mediterranean Partners cooperation group, which brings together 63 countries from three continents around a global concept of security.

In a statement, the Spanish Ministry of the Interior has highlighted the fact that the head of the portfolio, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, and his Moroccan counterpart, Abdelouafi Laftit, have agreed to continue fighting against irregular immigration, noting that in 2022 it was reduced by 25 % irregular arrivals and that in January the decrease is 69%.

"Spain is the only country of first entry into the European Union that registers decreases in its migratory routes and has attributed this decrease to close joint cooperation," added the Ministry of the Interior, which also highlighted the 22 joint operations that have made it possible to stop 105 people for terrorist crimes in the last eight years.

In terms of road safety, "progress has been made" in the modification of the agreement to exchange driving licenses which, according to Interior, will facilitate the processing of accreditations for professional drivers. They will also promote an annual Spanish-Moroccan summit on road safety, with a rotating presidency and location.