Spain hails ‘positive results’ from strengthened migration cooperation with Morocco

The Spanish government has praised its migration partnership with Morocco, citing tangible results in managing irregular migration and saving lives at sea, according to a written response to a parliamentary inquiry released this week.

Over the past three years, bilateral cooperation between the two countries has significantly deepened through sustained dialogue rooted in mutual respect and shared strategic interests, the government said.

The statement, published on the Spanish Senate’s official website, credited joint efforts with Morocco for supporting circular and legal migration while combatting human trafficking networks responsible for thousands of deaths in the Mediterranean. The government also reported that irregular arrivals via the Western Mediterranean route have remained stable.

“Last year, this route ranked among the least trafficked for irregular migration into Europe, with just over 14,000 arrivals—a 5% drop compared to 2023,” the statement read.

In response to a separate question, the government emphasized that Spain’s collaboration with African nations, particularly Morocco, spans nearly two decades and includes both prevention and enforcement measures targeting irregular migration and trafficking.

Thanks to this close partnership—especially daily operational coordination between security forces—thousands of migrants have been rescued over the years along key migration corridors, including the Atlantic route to the Canary Islands and the land borders at Ceuta and Melilla, officials said.

The cooperation framework is underpinned by key mechanisms: real-time intelligence sharing, deployment of Spanish police and Civil Guard units in partner countries, and joint land, sea, and air patrols between Spain’s Civil Guard and Morocco’s Royal Gendarmerie. These efforts not only deter irregular crossings but also enhance bilateral security coordination.

Spanish maritime agencies, the government noted, operate under the 1979 International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, adopted by the International Maritime Organization and ratified by Spain in 1993. The agreement underscores the need for international cooperation to improve rescue operations and ensure the safety of those endangered at sea.

The government concluded that its cooperation with Morocco is governed by clear, established protocols that continue to shape effective joint action on migration management.