Le Matin du Sahara et du Maghreb: Illegal migration 'issue of utmost importance' for Morocco and Spain, Spanish deputy-PM
Morocco-Spain, Politics, 4/26/2005

The phenomenon of illegal migration is "an issue of utmost importance" for Morocco and Spain, countries of entry and exit of Africa and Europe, said Spanish first deputy-prime minister, Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega, who is starting, as of Monday, a two-day official visit to Morocco.

De la Vega told Moroccan daily "Le Matin du Sahara et du Maghreb" Morocco and Spain have made tremendous efforts to settle the problem "but we have to make more efforts so as to improve results."

This phenomenon "needs to be tackled also in the perspective of legal and organized immigration, which fosters respect of the dignity and the integration of immigrants," she said.

The Spanish official declared, on the eve of her visit to the Kingdom, which aims primarily to prepare for the meeting of the joint commission scheduled for next fall, that for Spain, Morocco is clearly a political, economic and social priority, adding that the goal of her trip is consistent with the policy of the president of the Spanish government" JosŽ Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, which is to "reinforce political ties with the Kingdom of Morocco."

De la Vega recalled that, after the inauguration of Zapatero, the first visit the Spanish Premier paid abroad was to Morocco, "which is not a fortuitous choice, but a decision aiming at highlighting the political importance" of the relations between the two countries.

Raising the issue of fisheries, the Spanish official said "it is a question of utmost importance for Morocco as well as for Spain," pointing out that her country is working within the European Commission "in order to reach an agreement that would be convenient for the two parties."

De la Vega also recalled, in this respect, the work being done in prospecting for fishing areas, promoting organized and sustainable fishing, training of fisheries and aquaculture technicians, and the project of creating two laboratories of maritime inspection.

Previous Stories:
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  Zapatero: Sahara dispute among main obstacles to UMA   (3/24/2005)
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  Closer Moroccan-Spanish cooperation helped curb illegal migration, Spanish official   (2/17/2005)
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