The European Commission plans to increase financial support to Morocco for border control following the mass migrant arrivals to the occupied city of Ceuta on July 30, a European Commission spokesperson told Hespress English.
“As President von der Leyen said in her letter to PM Sanchez, in cooperation with Spain, especially on anything related to Ceuta and Melilla, we could enhance border management early-warning systems and improve our technical and financial support to Morocco,” the Commission spokesperson said in an email.
The EU noted the kingdom already benefits from financial support for migration, with €222 million committed between 2021 and 2024.
“We foresee to provide an additional €190 million until the end of this budget cycle in 2027,” the commission spokesperson said, adding that “Morocco will also benefit from additional support under regional programs, notably in the areas of return, protection and legal migration.”
The EU emphasized that Morocco is an important strategic partner in efforts to combat migrant smuggling and illegal migration, noting that cooperation with the kingdom on migration is comprehensive and based on a mutually beneficial partnership.
“For the future, we want to tackle challenges together, enhance our relationship with Morocco and extend the existing partnership to new priority areas of mutual interests,” the spokesperson added.
The EU also said it is already working with Moroccan authorities on a more structured and forward-looking partnership.
“This is why we are determined to work together to deepen our bilateral partnership and negotiate a Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership, building on the already very solid bilateral partnership,” the same source added.
In recent years, Brussels has reached more structured agreements with countries including Egypt, Jordan, Mauritania, and Tunisia, as part of its broader migration strategy with countries of origin and transit.
Under these deals, the EU provides funding for several areas and sectors in exchange for non-EU partner countries helping to reduce irregular migrant departures.
In 2024, the EU and Egypt finalized a €7.4 billion strategic partnership, including €5 billion in soft loans, €1.8 billion to support private-sector investment, and €600 million in grants, including €200 million for migration management.
A year before, the EU signed a €1 billion partnership with Tunisia to curb irregular migration and support economic stability, but Tunisia later returned €60 million in EU budget support amid tensions over the deal.
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.