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Marrakech – Morocco’s Director General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance (DGSN-DGST), Abdellatif Hammouchi, signed a joint action plan with his French counterpart Louis Laugier on Tuesday in Rabat.
The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between Morocco’s security services and France’s National Police in combating transnational organized crime.
The signing took place during Laugier’s official visit to Morocco, where he was accompanied by the French Ambassador to Rabat, Christophe Lecourtier, and a high-level security delegation including several directors from French National Police central directorates.
According to a statement from the DGSN-DGST, this plan “establishes a common roadmap in the field of combating transnational organized crime between the two brotherly countries.”
The agreement is vital as it materializes the exceptional cooperation mechanisms that have existed for decades between Rabat and Paris’ security services.
The plan aims to develop and expand areas of cooperation, including the possibility of creating joint working groups to address various challenges related to organized crime. This includes tracking fugitives and internationally wanted persons.
The agreement also opens promising prospects for security cooperation and mutual assistance between police services on both sides of the Mediterranean. It specifically focuses on training, information exchange, technical assistance, and operational cooperation.
During the meeting, the French National Police Director General expressed his deep gratitude for the role played by Morocco’s security services in supporting French security efforts.
He notably pointed to Morocco’s assistance in combating terrorist threats, pursuing and arresting individuals wanted by the French judiciary in organized crime cases, and securing the Olympic Games held in Paris.
Laugier also expressed France’s willingness to provide all possible support to assist Moroccan police with security protocols for international sporting events, as Morocco is just months away from hosting AFCON 2025 and preparing for the 2030 World Cup.
Hammouchi receives France’s highest honor
As part of the visit, French Ambassador Christophe Lecourtier presented Hammouchi with the medal and certificate of the Legion of Honor with the rank of Officer, awarded by French authorities.
The French delegation stressed that awarding Hammouchi France’s highest honor recognizes the leading role of Morocco’s security services in international efforts to combat terrorism and organized crime.
This recognition comes just weeks after Interpol elected Morocco as Vice Chair of Interpol’s Global Cybercrime Expert Group in early June. A significant majority of Interpol members also cast votes for Morocco to take on the role of Vice-President of Interpol for Africa during the 92nd Interpol General Assembly held in Glasgow last November.
Interpol President Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi recently commended Morocco’s security efforts during his visit to El Jadida in May, describing the country’s security system as “advanced, efficient, professional, and committed to respecting human rights.”
Morocco is set to host the 93rd Interpol General Assembly in Marrakech later this year, having received the Interpol flag from Glasgow as the official handover.
The intensive talks between Hammouchi and his French counterpart focused on evaluating bilateral cooperation in the security field and reviewing various issues of common interest.
They also discussed new mechanisms to enhance mutual assistance between the two parties to ensure the highest levels of readiness in neutralizing various security risks and threats.
This cooperation falls within the broader context of the strategic partnership King Mohammed VI and French President Emmanuel Macron launched in October 2024.
Just a day earlier, on Monday, Hammouchi noted DGSN’s commitment to supporting efforts against crimes affecting forest resources. Speaking at a study day in Kenitra, he addressed the importance of using modern scientific and technological means in criminal investigations and strengthening personnel capabilities through specialized training programs.
