Rabat and Madrid eager to harmonize cooperation in many fields
Morocco-Spain, Politics, 12/17/1998

Morocco and Spain are both keen on harmonizing their cooperation actions in matters of security and of struggle against drug trafficking, terrorism, illegal immigration, and the exploitation of persons by illegal networks, said Moroccan interior minister Driss Basri.

At a joint news conference in Marrakesh on Tuesday with Spanish Interior Minister Jaime Mayor Oreja, who paid a visit to Morocco dec.14-15, Basri said the two countries are eager to upgrade their economic, social and cultural cooperation to dissuade the persons attempted by illegal emigration.

Oreja on his part underlined the "noteworthy role" played by Morocco in fostering the European Union's awareness to the problems in North Africa.

"We grant much importance to Morocco's participation in European fora...," Oreja said adding that Spain backed Morocco's presence in the European task force entrusted with struggling against illegal immigration and all other kinds of problems and that Madrid endeavors for fostering rapprochement between Morocco and the European Union.

"Given its proximity, Morocco has an outstanding historic role to play in relations with the Union," Oreja said.

Basri-Oreja talks had covered bilateral cooperation in struggle against illegal immigration, organized crime and drug trafficking as well as Morocco's relations with the European Union.

Oreja had told the Spanish news agency "EFE" few hours before his trip to Marrakesh that it is most necessary that relations between Spain and Morocco be based on dialogue in addressing emigration related issues and that this issue is of concern not only to Spain but to the whole European Union.

The problem of the pateras, makeshift boats used by candidates to illegal emigration to reach Spanish coasts, requires a close cooperation with Morocco, he had said.

Every year, hundreds of illegal immigrants, from Morocco and also from sub-saharan regions, try to cross the Gibraltar strait to reach spain's southern coasts aboard the pateras. Several of them perish in the troubled waters of the strait.

Morocco has repeatedly called on the European Union to intensify cooperation with Morocco to combat illegal emigration, as Morocco cannot struggle alone against the phenomenon.

The Moroccan and Spanish ministers of the interior hold regular meetings alternately in Morocco and Spain to discuss bilateral cooperation within the frame of the accords concluded by the two departments in July 1997 in Malaga.

Previous Stories:
  Rabat and Madrid determined to upgrade struggle against illegal immigration   (12/16/1998)
  Spanish Home Minister in Marrakesh   (12/15/1998)
  Sahara is affecting Morocco's relations with Spain and Algeria   (10/17/1998)

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