Spanish jurist Miguel Angel Puyol stated that Morocco’s “humanist, proactive, and holistic” approach to managing migratory flows is an “example to be followed” by other countries in the region.
Angel Puyol emphasized that “Morocco, a transit country suffering the consequences of irregular immigration, is investing considerable efforts to fight against human trafficking mafias, while other countries, such as Algeria, are not fulfilling their responsibilities in this area.”
Mindful of the global and multidimensional dimension of the migration phenomenon, both regular and irregular, the Spanish expert, who specializes in Maghreb affairs, noted that Morocco constantly demonstrates “responsibility, credibility, and reliability” in the fight against mafias, whose modus operandi has become increasingly violent, adding that Spain is increasingly becoming aware of Morocco’s “crucial” role in migration management.
“The cooperation mechanisms between Morocco and Spain contributed to the establishment of a renewed partnership based on trust, information exchange, and coordination at the highest level,” said Angel Puyol, adding that the significant achievements in this area, notably a significant drop in the number of migrants arriving on the Spanish coast, are a testament of “fruitful and successful cooperation” between the two countries.
The Spanish jurist added that Morocco, a country committed to supporting its African neighbors in solidarity and humanism, “is a reliable partner for Spain and Europe,” condemning the hostile positions of some groups, who remain firmly rooted in archaic views on migration management.
“Those who believe that Morocco is unaffected by immigration and its consequences should update their data and revise their positions, which are far removed from reality,” stressed Angel Puyol, underlining that mafias benefit from the “negligence” of other countries in the region to carry out violent and organized attacks, as was the case during the events of June 24, 2022, in Nador.
The Spanish expert also noted that Moroccan and Spanish law enforcement agencies are subjected to daily and permanent pressure from mafias who use more innovative and aggressive modus operandi to achieve their objectives, stressing the need to back up the two countries’ efforts with more effective financial resources and mechanisms.
“Morocco alone cannot control an international phenomenon of economic, human, and political proportions,” emphasized the Spanish jurist, adding that “the involvement of the countries in the region, greater commitment on the part of the European Union (EU) and multidimensional cooperation are essential to progress towards a more serene management of the migration problem.”
For Angel Puyol, bilateral cooperation between Morocco and Spain is achieving remarkable results, thanks to joint actions on both shores of the Mediterranean and commitment to boosting this multi-sector collaboration.
In this regard, Angel Puyol concluded that the multifaceted dimension of the migratory phenomenon calls for a global, united, and integrated response from all African and European stakeholders.
