Spain Welcomes Efficient Cooperation with Morocco in Circular, Regular Migration – Joint Statement –

Spain welcomes, Thursday in Rabat, the efficient operational cooperation with Morocco in the field of circular and regular migration, which is a model at the international level. In a joint statement issued at the end of the 12th Moroccan-Spanish High Level Meeting, held under the joint chairmanship of the Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch and the President of the Spanish Government Pedro Sanchez, the two countries agree to intensify their cooperation in the fight against irregular migration, border control, the fight against networks and the readmission of illegal immigrants. Stressing that the fight against criminal networks of illegal immigration should also recall the responsibility of neighboring countries, countries of origin and the EU in the face of this phenomenon, the two countries recognize the many positive contributions that immigrant communities make to both host countries and their countries of origin. In this sense, they are fully committed to combating all forms of racism, xenophobia and any other discrimination against immigrant populations. The two governments, which note the importance of the efforts made in the field of migration, particularly in the framework of the Marrakech Pact and the Rabat Process, reiterate their common commitment to dynamic mobility allowing for the fluid and orderly movement of persons. The two parties also welcome the spirit of understanding and cooperation that permeated their participation in the Ministerial Conference of the Rabat Process, held in Cadiz on December 13 and 14, 2022, which was marked by the coordination in the handover of the consecutive presidencies between the two countries, as agreed in the Joint Statement of April 7, 2022 They also express their satisfaction with their collaboration and coordination in the transit operation “Crossing the Straits Operation /Marhaba” after the pandemic in 2022, the Statement stressed, pointing out that this joint operation has facilitated the movement of nearly 3 million passengers and 700,000 vehicles, making it one of the largest programs for managing the movement of people in the world. Both parties also renewed their commitment to peace and stability, sustainable development, and human rights, including within the framework of the United Nations.