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Rabat – Brussels is now negotiating the deployment of a Frontex mission, not in Ceuta and Melilla, but directly in Morocco. The negotiations are done under the regulations of an internal document published on February 18.
The draft document deals with “a partnership in migration” with Moroccan authorities. Brussels assures that Morocco is a “main partner” in the region and its collaboration with European Union agencies is “a model that others could follow,” reports Spanish media.
Brussels is expecting Rabat and Frontex to reach an agreement on “structured cooperation,” which would allow the European border agency to work in Morocco on issues such as “risk analysis, training, and operational cooperation.” According to Brussels, such an agreement would also include the Europol and the EU Asylum Agency.
After the tense border situation in Melilla and Ceuta following a diplomatic rift between Morocco and Spain, Brussels wishes to keep Morocco in a cooperative rather than confrontational relationship.
Rabat sees how bordering countries like Turkey act as the European borders’ patrol guard in exchange for billions of euros, MAD 32 billion (€3 billion) since 2016, whereas Morocco gets much less. Since 2001 it has received MAD 2.31 billion (€215 million) to finance border security projects.
Read also: Irregular Migration: Morocco Reinforces Security at Ceuta Border
Frontex is an agency of the European Union that operates from Warsaw, Poland. Its main objective is to promote, coordinate, and develop European border management in accordance with the EU fundamental rights charter and the prospect of an EU-integrated border management.
Over the years, Frontex has faced criticism for its alleged role in the mistreatment of migrants, its potential impact on countries on Europe’s periphery, and its role in enforcing strict European border policies that have made the Mediterranean the deadliest route for migrants in the world.
Regular border control is the sole responsibility of the EU Member States. Frontex plays an operational role in border management by coordinating the deployment of experts and technical equipment to border areas that are experiencing significant pressure. Frontex also helps EU Member States with training and sharing best practices.
