Rabat – Morocco has started preparing for the 2023 Marhaba operation, the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita, indicated during a meeting of the National Transit Commission.
Preparations began on May 3, while coordination with the Spanish side began on May 17 with the holding of the joint Moroccan-Spanish commission in charge of the transit operation, according to Bourita.
He added that the two countries are working on areas related to traffic, communication, and health monitoring, among others.
Noting that the Marhaba operation is unique and requires certain measures to be implemented, the Minister pointed out that changes at both the international level and concerning the Moroccan community abroad have enabled the operation to take place throughout the year.
The organization of the operation encounters certain difficulties that Morocco tries to overcome from year to year, he added, highlighting the solidity of the ties uniting the Moroccan community abroad with their home country.
He also recalled that last year recorded the entry of three million Moroccans living abroad to the North African country, an increase of 4% compared to 2019, describing the “Marhaba” operation as exceptional during the last year.
As part of Operation Crossing the Strait (OPE), the Spanish equivalent of Marhaba, Ceuta and Melilla will host thousands of Moroccan travelers between June 15 and September 15, according to El Faro de Ceuta.
The operation takes place every year to support the increasing flow of Moroccans residing abroad returning to Morocco during the summer period.
Read also: Operation Marhaba 2023: Morocco Gears Up to Welcome Moroccan Diaspora
