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Join on Telegram Rabat – Morocco and Spain will continue to expand bilateral cooperation to tackle security threats, particularly human trafficking and terrorism.
Madrid and Rabat reiterated their willingness to strengthen ties during a meeting between Morocco’s General Director of National Security and Territorial Surveillance (DGSN-DGST) Abdellatif Hammouchi and his Spanish counterpart Francisco Pardo Piqueras on Wednesday in Rabat.
Piqueras is leading a high level Spanish security delegation to Morocco.
A DGSN statement said the delegation’s visit reflects “the firm will to consolidate and further develop the partnership and cooperation that bind the Moroccan and Spanish security services.”
The increased bilateral cooperation is based on “solid foundations of trust and credibility, serving the common interests of the two countries and to ensure security and stability while promoting the sharing of experience and expertise in the fight against transnational organized crime,” the DGSN communique highlighted.
In April, Morocco and Spain announced a roadmap to improve and cement diplomatic cooperation between the two countries after a flare-up of diplomatic tensions throughout 2021.
The tensions arose after Spain’s decision to host Polisario leader Brahim Ghali for hospitalization last year.
After months of back-and-forth dialogue, the two countries decided to restore normal ties. Spain solidified ties with Rabat by endorsing Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as the most serious and credible basis to end the dispute over Western Sahara.
As part of the roadmap outlining a new phase of diplomatic ties, the two countries expressed their determination to work together to combat shared challenges, including terrorism and human trafficking.
DGSN said Moroccan and Spanish security services have discussed and exchanged views on a series of security challenges, including threats from extremist groups and organized criminal networks who are active in the Western Mediterranean.
The two countries further discussed drug trafficking in addition to strengthening mechanisms for the exchange of security-related data.
“The two sides also discussed ways to increase institutional partnerships in vital areas such as border crossing security and forensic science and technology, and to strengthen police training programs in different professional disciplines,” DGSN said.
