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Rabat – The EU might favorably answer Morocco’s call for support as the Spanish government is pressuring the EU to meet Morocco’s demands.
Spanish news outlet El Pais reported today that Spain has repeatedly expressed Morocco’s migration concerns to the EU.
The news outlet added that the EU “is preparing an imminent response” as Spain’s sense of urgency has been “sharpened.”
The heavy migratory challenges have “exhausted” Morocco and Spain’s patience.
Read Also: EU Commission Wants More Security Cooperation with Morocco Against Undocumented Immigration
Contacted by El Pais, diplomatic sources did not unveil the funds the EU will give to Morocco. “But they estimate that they surpass the almost 30 million” already committed to meet Morocco’s demands for equipment.
El Pais quoted a government source saying, “Morocco is asserting its status as a responsible partner, but considers that the response to the migration phenomenon should be based on the principle of shared responsibility.”
In August, the EU commission president responded to Spain’s request to provide Morocco with resources to curb migration.
Jean-Claude Juncker said that both “Spain and Morocco can be assured of the full support of the EU commission in effectively responding to the increasing migratory pressure along the Western Mediterranean route.”
Read Also: EU Backs Morocco’s Request for Migration Funding, But Resources Are Limited
In July, the Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, asked the EU to provide Morocco with “emergency assistance to tackle the migration issue.”
The president of the EU commission acknowledged that the situation requires additional funding.
Migration mafias continue to develop irregular strategies
Besides go-fast boats, migration networks are developing strategies for migration and human trafficking.
Some traffic migrants through family cars driving from Morocco to the Spanish enclave of Melilla.
Akhbar Al Yaoum newspaper reported on October 8 that Spanish authorities unveiled the existence of a human trafficking network that could traffic 200 Moroccans through family cars to allude Spanish and Moroccan security forces.
Read Also: Migration ‘Mafias’ Challenge Government with Free Rides to Europe
The newspaper added that the network trafficked 44 undocumented migrants by car in the last three months.
Moroccan police allegedly arrested three Moroccans involved in the network. Akhbar Al Yaoum reported that the three suspects charge MAD 45,000 for each migrant.
The paper added that most of the “victims” of the migration networks are from sub-Saharan Africa.
The network allegedly has 52 members. Moroccan police arrested only 9 members and seized 40 cars.
