Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska voiced satisfaction at the “exemplary” cooperation with Morocco in countering illegal migration.
“We have been close, reliable and faithful partners for long,” Marlaska told public TV channel TVE.
Marlaska had visited Morocco in January and met his Moroccan counterpart Abdelouafi laftit, the first visit since the new Sanchez government formed a coalition government.
Last year, Morocco foiled 75,000 migration attempts to Spain. Crossing attempts to the Spanish-occupied enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla have also dropped significantly by 62% to only six attempts involving 1400 migrants, according to interior ministry data.
Relations between Morocco and Spain have never been stronger, offering an example of a success story of cooperation between two neighbours working hand in hand including on controversial issues.
Since Spain expressed support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara in 2022, a new era has been ushered in bilateral ties at all levels.
Spain is Morocco’s largest trading partner while Morocco is the third largest trading partner for Spain outside the EU, right after the US and the UK. Bilateral trade totaled 20 billion euros last year and is set to break new records as businessmen from the two countries reap the benefits of improved diplomatic ties.