News
Tuesday 1 September 2015

Joint meeting in Rabat of Moroccan and Spanish Interior and Defence Ministers

Vocal synthesis
Joint meeting in Rabat of Moroccan and Spanish Interior and Defence Ministers

Reinforcement and consolidation of regional stability hinge on conflict-settlement by inclusive political solutions preserving state integrity (Morocco-Spain joint statement)

  Morocco and Spain agreed that the reinforcement and consolidation of regional stability hinge on settlement of all conflicts through inclusive political solutions that preserve the integrity of states in the region.

Reinforcement and consolidation of regional stability hinge on conflict-settlement by inclusive political solutions preserving state integrity (Morocco-Spain joint statement)

 

    In a joint statement published here on Tuesday following the joint meeting of interior and defense ministers of the two Mediterranean countries, the two countries stressed that stability in the Sahel region and stability in the Mediterranean basin cannot be separated as the Sahel is prey to multiple troubles that make the bed of various criminal and terrorist organizations and groups.

 

     Preserving security and stability in Western Mediterranean is "a major goal and a shared responsibility" requiring efficient cooperation to face security threats and challenges, the two countries noted, before expressing "deep worry" over terrorism in the Sahel. 

 

     Efficient counter-terrorism can only be "collective" and involve all countries that should adopt a "comprehensive and coherent approach" that combines aspects related to security, humanitarian, migration and socio-economic development of the region, insisted the two countries which also praised the success of the 5+5 initiative (northern and southern Mediterranean countries) -in which both Morocco and Spain are active members- as a new impetus to regional security. 

 

     The joint meeting further welcomed the quality of "exemplary" cooperation between their security services, particularly in intelligence-sharing and controlling land and sea borders, leading to joint and simultaneous operations that helped dismantle several terrorist cells which used to hire and send foreign combatants to tension spots.

 

    The two countries paid tribute to the efficiency, professionalism and involvement of their security departments in counter-terrorism.

 

   Spain also praised the pertinence of Morocco's anti-terrorism strategy, based on a comprehensive approach that combines security aspects and social, economic and religious dimensions as well as Morocco's efforts to promote an open and tolerant Islam through imam-training programs and the establishment of the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Ulema (Islamic scholars).

MAP 01 September 2015

 

Morocco, "privileged friend, ally and partner" for Spain (Spanish interior minister)

   Spanish interior minister, Jorge Fernandez Diaz, said on Tuesday that Morocco is a "privileged neighbor, friend, ally and partner" for Spain, underlining the excellence of bonds uniting the two countries.

   "For Spain, Morocco is a "privileged neighbor, friend, ally and partner", Fernandez Diaz told the press following a meeting between Moroccan and Spanish interior and defense ministers, adding that the two countries are living "one of the best moments of their shared history".

 

   "The stability and security of Morocco is strategic for Spain, for the region and for the European Union", he went on, before expressing his country's will and determination to contribute to the reinforcement of cooperation with Morocco in order to protect the shared interests. 

 

   The joint meeting held this Tuesday in Rabat in an atmosphere of "friendship and confidence" has underscored the "excellent level" of bilateral ties, given the themes discussed, went on the Spanish official who also noted that the two countries are working together to confront "in a responsible, solidarity-based and efficient manner" the plagues of illegal migration and human trafficking. 

 

      Fernandez-Diaz further stressed that the "exemplary" cooperation existing between the two countries has helped avert human tragedies in the Western Mediterranean region.

 

   He also praised the "excellent and extraordinary" cooperation that helped dismantle several terrorist rings, including some who were active in hiring and sending foreign combatants to tension spots.

 

      The two delegations, comprising Morocco's interior minister, Mohamed Hassad, Minister-delegate for national defense administration, M. Abdelatif Loudyi, and Minister-delegate, Cherki Drais, and Spain's defense and interior ministers, respectively Pedro Morenes and Jorge Fernandez Diaz , had also praised the quality of  bilateral technical and operational cooperation in security and national defense. 

 

      The meeting, part of regular meetings between officials of the two countries in charge of national defense and interior, was held in the presence of Morocco's ambassador in Madrid, Mohamed Fadel Ben Yaich, and Spain's ambassador in Morocco, Ricardo-Diez-Hochleitner. 

MAP 01 September 2015