Migration Management: Morocco Establishes itself as Reliable, Indispensable Partner for Spain

Recognition and gratitude are the watchwords of the Spanish government’s statements to Morocco for its effective, efficient and exemplary cooperation in the fight against irregular immigration, which has produced tangible results at all levels. Aware of the central role played by Morocco as a transit country and its humanistic, holistic and multidimensional approach to the migration issue, Spain has always commended Morocco’s firm commitment and sustained efforts in the fight against networks involved in illegal immigration and human trafficking. Morocco’s actions, carried out in a spirit of shared responsibility and trust, have produced noteworthy results, confirming the Kingdom’s credibility and effective, efficient contribution to consolidating security and peace in the Mediterranean region. Even in the most difficult contexts, Madrid has always backed Morocco as a reliable, committed and responsible partner, stressing that the Kingdom is also a victim of irregular immigration and fully assumes its responsibilities in respecting laws and regulations to combat human trafficking mafias. Some people “sometimes seem to think that countries like Morocco do not suffer from illegal immigration, but this does not correspond to reality”, said the President of the Spanish government, Pedro Sanchez. This statement was made just after the violent, planned and premeditated assault carried out on June 24, 2022 by migrants in Nador to force passage to Melilia, which left dozens of Moroccan law enforcement officers wounded, as they acted professionally to deal with an unprecedented attack marked by the use of unheard-of violence. “We must recognize the efforts made by Morocco, which is also under pressure from irregular migration,” stressed Sanchez, adding that “the real culprits behind the violent assault by sub-Saharan migrants on the metal fence separating the towns of Nador and Melilia are the mafias.” In this sense, he specified that “what happened at the fence (…) was a violent attack carried out by armed migrants,” calling for showing “empathy towards the Spanish security forces and the Moroccan public forces, who suffered a violent attack that left hundreds of law enforcement officers injured.” In the face of an increasingly complex phenomenon that tests the traditional mechanisms for combating human trafficking on a daily basis, Spain has repeatedly urged European countries to show solidarity with Morocco in its fight against human trafficking networks that use new, extremely violent operating methods and are prepared to take any risk. The cooperative relationship between Spain and Morocco in the fight against illegal immigration is “absolutely close, firm and real, which can only generate tranquillity,” said Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska recently, welcoming the ongoing cooperation between the two countries based on trust and co-responsibility. “We are working day after day with the Moroccan government to prevent and dismantle the organizations that traffic in human beings,” the Spanish official added, hailing the “permanent contact and coordination” between Rabat and Madrid. “We are working together on an ongoing basis to prevent and combat the phenomenon of migration”, he said, adding that Morocco is “a loyal and fraternal partner, with which Spain enjoys excellent relations.” Aware of the new challenges of the international context and the dangers posed by networks of human smugglers and traffickers, and of the maturity of their multifaceted cooperation, Morocco and Spain constantly reaffirm their unwavering determination to act firmly and relentlessly against illegal migrant networks, in compliance with the laws in force and international law.