Morocco is a “reliable and solid” partner, says Frontex

Morocco is a “reliable and solid” partner of the European Union (EU) in terms of the management of migratory flows, according to the European border control agency (Frontex), describing its cooperation with the Kingdom as “excellent”.

Morocco is deploying and has made enormous efforts in terms of the management of migration, ”said Frontex Executive Director, Fabrice Leggeri to MAP.

The migratory flow of the western Mediterranean “is under control”, he added, saying Moroccan authorities have stepped up their management of departures from Morocco and have taken measures to combat criminal activities linked to human trafficking.

“This is the result of the “fruitful collaboration” of the Moroccan authorities with their European counterparts within the management of migratory flows”, he said.

Morocco, which is “very active” in its collaboration with Frontex and the EU, as well as with Spain, “is making a daily effort on the ground,” he noted.

Frontex, the European Border, and Coast Guard Agency is a security apparatus of Europe’s crackdown on migration.

Its main mission is to control borders and migratory movements in order to limit the ability of migrants to reach the Schengen territory, through agreements with countries, including Morocco.

​​The FRONTEX HIPPOCAMPE is among these agreements with Morocco, aiming to bring together the Member States in order to strengthen the coastal control patrols between Spain and Morocco by extending the maritime surveillance to the whole Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts with a budget foreseen in the annual action program estimated to € 4.5 million.

During this year, about 8000 irregular migrants, including unaccompanied minors stormed Ceuta in May, either by scaling the border fence or swimming around it.

King Mohammed VI ordered the repatriation of migrants, whereby migrants were repatriated, including minors.

Some other unaccompanied minors remained in Ceuta as a result of International human rights groups’ actions, such as Amnesty International while defending their rights.

Spain’s interior minister ordered by the end to stop sending back unaccompanied child migrants to Morocco because of violations of children’s rights.