Morocco and Spain start joint sea patrols to control migration

Morocco and Spain started on Thursday conducting joint patrols to control illegal migration between Morocco's southern shores and Spain's Canary Islands.

Two Moroccan unarmed gendarmes boarded a Spanish boat that patrolled the itinerary usually used by boats carrying illegal migrants from Morocco to Spain.

Under the agreement, two Spanish coast guards will, in turn, board a Moroccan patrol.

The Spanish TV "TVE" quoted a Spanish official in charge of foreigners and immigration as saying that the joint operation is an illustration that agreements reached between the two countries to fight illegal migration are working. He added that the experience will be extended to the strait of Gibraltar in two months, after assessing the joint patrols experience.

He also praised Morocco's "good will" to implement the agreements against illegal migration and the trust that marks cooperation against illegal trafficking between the two countries.

The decision to conduct joint sea patrols was made last November during the 1st meeting of the Moroccan-Spanish permanent committee in charge of migration flow.