Zapatero lauds Morocco-Spain cooperation to fight illegal migration

Spanish prime minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, hailed Wednesday Morocco-Spain cooperation in fighting illegal migration, saying the "strong and continuous" fight against this phenomenon is the "result" of the improvement of relations between the two countries since the Spanish government took office last March.

The Spanish premier recalled before the Congress of Deputies that he paid his first visit abroad to Morocco (last April), saying one of the main goals of the current Spanish government is the "development of relations with Morocco."

Zapatero shed light on the efforts made by the two countries to fight illegal migration, evoking the reinforcement of sea, air and land control.

The prime minister announced the approval next month of the law on foreigners, saying 800,000 migrants are currently living illegally in Spain.

Zapatero called on political forces in the country, including the Popular Party (PO) to work for reaching a "broad" political and social accord on the implementation of this law.

The law was adopted by the former government of José Maria Aznar but remained without a decree specifying the way it should be enforced.