Morocco, Spain hail 'excellent' cooperation in fight against terrorism, illegal migration

Morocco and Spain on Thursday said they were pleased with the "excellent level" reached by bilateral cooperation in all fields including the fight against terrorism, people smugglers networks and drug trafficking.

This came at a news conference jointly held here by Moroccan Minister of the Interior El Mostafa Sahel and Spanish peer M. Jose Antonio Alonso who paid a one day visit to Morocco where he was received by King Mohammed VI.

The Spanish minister said both countries voiced resolve to carry on efforts and increase cooperation in the fight against international terrorism, human and drug trafficking networks.

They also agreed to step up efforts in police training

and information exchange through the setting up of a hotline.

"We must find together solution to these common problems in order to improve means of struggle against terrorism, drug trafficking and illegal immigration," he insisted, noting that his country and France and engaged in a project of the European Union to provide Morocco with a technological and financial assistance to help it address the migratory flow, in particular from Sub Saharan countries whose nationals chose the North African country as a platform to reach Europe.

Echoing him, the Moroccan Home Minister described as " exemplary, frank, loyal and sincere" cooperation between the two countries in all these fields.

He voiced satisfaction at Spain's decision to regularize the situation of Moroccan immigrants, saying this decision is "an irrefutable proof of the spirit of hospitality, openness and tolerance' of the Spanish people and of "the preferential attention the Spanish government grants to Morocco and to Moroccans."