Some 50,000 Moroccans granted legal stay in Spain, Minister

Moroccan minister delegate in charge of expatriates, Nouzha Chekrouni on Wednesday revealed that 50,684 Moroccan illegal immigrants have been granted legal stay in Spain so far, in an effort to improve their conditions.

Speaking at the House of Representatives (parliament lower chamber) question time, Chekrouni said Spain will favor Moroccan illegal immigrants, part of a new system to be applied as of September, in order to settle the situation of as many Moroccans as possible.

The minister highlighted the positive development of the two countries' relations following the recent visit of Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero to Morocco and the increase of bilateral contacts at all levels. Such factors, she said, have contributed to establishing a climate that favors these solutions.

The Moroccan community in Spain increased by 23.42% between 1999 and 2000 alone, Chekrouni said, adding that Spain has presented, at Morocco's request, a detailed report on its community and measures taken by Madrid to improve their stay conditions.

She further recalled agreements concluded to organize Moroccans' work in major host countries such as France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

The department of Moroccan expatriates is also seeking to promote cooperation with these countries to set up a rational immigration policy, the official said.