EU's Commitment to Strengthen Cooperation with Morocco
The European Commission recently announced its intention to enhance financial support for Morocco in managing migration, particularly in light of the recent events in Ceuta that sparked considerable debate across Europe. A spokesperson from the Commission stated that this decision underscores the EU's commitment to collaborate closely with Morocco to address the challenges associated with migration at their shared borders. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, conveyed this commitment in a letter to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, emphasizing that Brussels, in partnership with Madrid, aims to bolster early warning systems and improve financial and technical assistance to Morocco.
Currently, Morocco receives approximately €222 million in funding allocated for the protection of Europe’s southern borders and the management of migrant flows across the Mediterranean from 2021 to 2024. It has been indicated that an additional €190 million is expected to be provided by the end of the current budget cycle in 2027. Furthermore, Morocco is anticipated to benefit from extra support through regional programs, particularly focusing on aspects such as repatriation, migration assistance, and the promotion of legal migration pathways.
Strategic Partnership for Migration Management
Morocco is recognized as a crucial strategic partner in the EU's efforts to combat human trafficking and irregular migration. The spokesperson elaborated that the future agenda includes a collaborative approach to tackle shared challenges, aiming to deepen the relationship with Morocco and expand the existing partnership to encompass new areas of mutual interest. They reaffirmed that the EU is already working with Moroccan authorities to establish a more structured and forward-looking partnership.
According to a policy document published by the European Commission, cooperation on migration is one of the key pillars of the strategic partnership between Morocco and the EU. This extended partnership is designed to balance the needs for effective land and sea border control while fostering humane and social approaches to manage such complex issues. The financial and technical support provided extends beyond mere security measures; it also aims to assist Morocco in strengthening its national migration and asylum strategies and implementing integration and development programs. Between 2014 and 2022, this support has exceeded €2.1 billion, a significant portion of which has been allocated to direct initiatives in the migration sector.
The comprehensive EU support during the period from 2017 to 2022 has yielded tangible outcomes, facilitating awareness campaigns on migrant rights for over 30,000 individuals and enabling approximately 22,000 people to access essential social services and emergency care. Furthermore, funding has contributed to enhancing the capabilities of hundreds of security personnel, institutional staff, and civil society organizations through specialized training programs, while also facilitating the voluntary return of more than 2,900 migrants to their countries of origin, in addition to the development of 16 policies and strategies related to migration governance and human rights.
As reported by hespress.com.
