Rabat – Morocco’s Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita has emphasized the importance of “shared responsibility” in tackling irregular migration and its impact on Europe.
In a statement to LCI, Bourita said on Sunday that Morocco is not the “gendarme of Europe, nor its concierge.”
He said if Morocco plays an important role to tackle migration issues it does so as a “partner.”
“Morocco has no obligation to protect the borders of countries other than its own,” Bourita added.
Spain and its media launched a campaign against Morocco after over 8,000 migrants irregularly entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.
In response to the campaign, Morocco’s government emphasized its role in irregular migration, emphasizing that the situation in Ceuta is not the cause of the crisis with Spain.
In a similar statement to Europe 1, Bourita said that Spain created the migration crisis due to its decision to host Polisario leader Brahim Ghali.
Spain offered to hospitalize Ghali secretly in a Spanish hospital, allowing him to enter the European country with a fake identity and passport.
Ghali used a fake passport as he is wanted in Spain for several charges, including genocide, illegal detention, rape, torture, and kidnapping.
The Moroccan FM warned Spain that tension could be increased between the two countries if Madrid decides to allow Ghali to leave its territories before standing trial for the charges filed against him.
He explained that Spain did not consult the European Union before making a decision to host Ghali.
“Madrid has created a crisis and wants Europe to assume it,” he said.
Emphasizing Morocco’s efforts against irregular migration, the minister said the North African country has dismantled 8,000 human trafficking cells, 14,000 irregular migration attempts, including 80 operations in Ceuta in the past four years.
Recently, the official renewed Morocco’s commitment against irregular migration, saying that the efforts against human trafficking are based on shared responsibility.
He emphasized that the EU’s finances barely cover less than 20% of the costs that Morocco invests to tackle the ongoing issue.
A partnership “is not a one-way street,” Bourita said, saying that collaboration should be based on a clear understanding and respect.
