Moroccan, Spanish home ministers meet in Valencia
Morocco-Spain, Politics, 6/15/2001

Moroccan and Spanish ministers of the interior, Ahmed El Midaoui and Mariano Rajoy, held a meeting in Valencia Thursday on the sidelines of the 7th conference of the interior ministers of western Mediterranean countries, convened in Valencia (eastern Spain) June 13-14.

The two ministers surveyed the problems of concern to the two countries, in the frame of normal consultations between the interior departments, and voiced satisfaction over the understanding prevailing between these departments.

Both sides are showing good will and we have settled all the problems of concern to the two ministries, El Midaoui told MAP.

Talks focused on this summer's transit of Moroccan expatriates via Spain towards Morocco for their summer holidays and which starts on June 15, El Midaoui said, expressing hope that the operation unfold in best conditions.

Europe-settled Moroccan expatriates who come back home for the summer holidays usually embark from the Spanish southern ports of Algesiras, Almeria and Malaga to sail across the strait of Gibraltar to Morocco. About 2.3 million Moroccans are living abroad, 80 percent of them in Europe.

The Spanish interior minister said all arrangements were made so that the crossing of the strait of Gibraltar by more than 2 million Moroccans and 400,000 vehicles take place in best conditions. He announced that the accommodation capacity of pre-boarding areas in Algesiras as well as the number of shuttles between the strait shores have been increased.

We shall endeavor so that the transit operation be a success, Rajoy said.

The two officials also discussed the issue of emigration and the projected conclusion of an agreement on seasonal workers.

The agreement is being negotiated with the Moroccan ministry of employment and the interior ministry is participating in the negotiations to ease the organization of immigration so that it be legal, transparent and regular, El Midaoui said.

Rajoy hailed Morocco which renewed will to struggle against illegal emigration through the strait of Gibraltar and to avoid the tragedies that often occur in the area.

Scores of candidates to illegal emigration try to cross the strait aboard makeshift boats every year and many of them perish in the strait troubled waters.

Morocco has repeatedly voiced resolve to contribute to struggle against illegal migratory flows, the Spanish minister said.

Previous Stories:
  King Mohammed receives head of Spanish civil guard   (5/30/2001)
  Morocco denies contacts with Spain over fisheries   (5/18/2001)
  Failure of fishery talks should not mar Morocco-Spain ties, official   (5/12/2001)

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