Security Talks Enhance Partnership Between Morocco and Spain
Abdelatif Hammouchi, the sole African security and intelligence official to attend the official celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the establishment of the National Police Force, in the presence of the Spanish monarch
Morocco and Spain continue to work on enhancing cooperation in various fields and coordinating at the highest level regarding common issues and files, including security matters that are a cornerstone for the security and stability of the two neighboring countries.
During the past week, the Director General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance of Morocco, Abdelatif Hammouchi, held bilateral talks with several of his Spanish counterparts on the occasion of his participation in the official celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the establishment of the National Police Force.
Hammouchi met with the Director General of the National Police Force, Francisco Pardo Piqueras, and the General Commissioner of Intelligence, Eugenio Pereiro Blanco. He also met with Rafael Pérez Ruiz, the Spanish State Minister in charge of security, and Julián Ávila Polo, the General Commissioner of Foreigners and Borders.
These meetings reflect the importance both countries attach to security issues and their efforts to enhance bilateral coordination to combat cross-border crime, terrorism, and drug trafficking.
Morocco and Spain have close relations in this field, including exchanging experiences, information, and training to strengthen the capabilities of the agencies of both countries. Cooperation in this field has seen an increase following the convergent approach between Rabat and Madrid since the latter recognized the Moroccan Sahara and supported the autonomy proposal in the region under the sovereignty of the Kingdom, a realistic and unique solution to end the artificial conflict perpetrated by the Polisario Front and its Algerian sponsor.
The discussions conducted by Hammouchi with the heads of Spanish security agencies provided a favorable opportunity to review the significant achievements in the field of bilateral security cooperation between the two countries, especially in areas of operational coordination and technical assistance to counter terrorist threats and various forms of organized crime. Operational coordination between the two countries includes networks of illegal migration, human trafficking, drug trafficking, and others.
The Director General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance of Morocco also discussed with his Spanish counterparts the different security threats and risks facing the regional area of the two countries and mechanisms to develop and expand bilateral security cooperation to address all these challenges and risks from a common perspective.
Hammouchi was a guest at the official celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the establishment of the Spanish National Police Force at the request of the Director General of the Spanish National Police Force.
Hammouchi, the sole African security and intelligence official to attend these official celebrations attended by the King of Spain Felipe VI, is a clear indication of the importance Madrid attaches to the security partnership with Morocco and the confidence in the Moroccan security and intelligence agencies as effective actors capable of contributing to regional security.
Accompanied by a security delegation representing the pole of the General Directorate of National Security and Territorial Surveillance, these official celebrations, organized by the Spanish authorities on the occasion of the establishment of the National Police Force.
