Cooperation between Morocco and Spain in the area of migration management and the fight against illegal immigration is an example of political dialogue between partners, said the Spanish Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, before the ministers of Justice and Home Affairs of the 27 Member States of the European Union.
The Spanish official, who was speaking at a meeting in Prague of Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) of European Union member states, stressed the need to “raise the political profile and the presence of the EU” in the countries of origin and illegal immigration, assuring that “the relationship with Morocco is an example in this sense”.
“There is an urgent need to strengthen the political dialogue with our African partners and to intensify the dialogue between the representatives of the EU and the Member States”, insisted Mr. Grande-Marlaska, who welcomed the recent meeting in Rabat with the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, and the Minister of the Interior, Abdelouafi Laftit.
Mr Grande-Marlaska, quoted in a press release from the Spanish Ministry of the Interior, pleaded before his European colleagues in Prague for an increase in European funds, in order to achieve “orderly and fair” migration from the African countries.
“African countries of origin and transit of migration need regular, predictable and substantial aid, which so far has been insufficient,” he added.
The Spanish Minister cited, for this purpose, the Neighbourhood, Development Cooperation and International Cooperation Instrument (IVCDCI), which devotes 10% of its funds to migration.
“We must make the most of the possibilities offered by this budget and implement migration cooperation projects, which have already proven their effectiveness in third countries,” he suggested.
In addition, Grande-Marlaska emphasized the “structural nature” of the migratory phenomenon, considering that “migratory pressure from Africa will not disappear”.
“We must continue to work to prevent and reduce movements and move towards a fair, predictable and orderly management of migration,” he concluded.
The European Commission and Morocco launched, on 8 July in Rabat, a renewed partnership on migration and the fight against human trafficking networks, particularly following the emergence of new extremely violent methods of operation adopted by these criminal networks. .
The new operational partnership in the fight against human trafficking between Rabat and Brussels may cover in particular support for border management, the strengthening of police cooperation, including joint investigations, awareness of the dangers of irregular migration , as well as the strengthening of cooperation with the European Union agencies responsible for home affairs.
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