Rabat, Madrid resolved to curb illegal immigration

Morocco and Spain voiced resolve to curb illegal immigration in a joint communique issued following the visit in Morocco of Spanish state secretary of immigration and emigration, Consuelo Rumi Ibanez.

The two parties focused on activation of the agreement on movement of persons and transit and readmission of foreigners that entered Spain illegally, signed

in Madrid on February 13, 1992, said the Moroccan ministry in charge of expatriates.

During a meeting Thursday with Rumi Ibanez, Moroccan minister of social development, family and solidarity, M. Abderrahim Harouchi, said the two countries are pondering a program to reintegrate Moroccan minors living in Spain in their home country.

"A program will be set up shortly, part of the excellent Moroccan-Spanish cooperation, to favor social integration of these minors in their country, Harouchi told MAP following the meeting.

The Moroccan official said that part of the memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries in 2003, Moroccan minors living in Spain, numbered at some 2,500, will receive training, and this reintegration depends on local development projects in Morocco's northern provinces.

The minister also announced an "ambitious project" for youths that will be launched in the region as of September.

"We and the Spanish ambassador are scrutinizing several proximity projects to enable populations to participate in development," he said, adding that all these projects will be carried out within Moroccan-Spanish partnership, which will be extended to NGOs.

The Spanish state secretary of immigration and emigration had said following a meeting Wednesday with her Moroccan peer, Nouzha Chekrouni, that Spain will see to promote employment opportunities in Morocco, in collaboration with Spanish enterprises and in different fields, saying "this is the best means to curb illegal immigration."

The Spanish minister was on a working visit to Morocco July 07-08.