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The Minister of Justice, Abdellatif Ouahbi, held talks on Monday in Brussels with his Belgian counterpart, Annelies Verlinden, on ways to elevate legal and judicial cooperation between the two countries to a higher level and to strengthen coordination on issues of common interest.
On this occasion, the two ministers emphasized the strength of the partnership between Morocco and Belgium, as well as their shared commitment to promoting judicial cooperation in support of the rule of law and in response to current challenges, particularly those related to cross-border crime.
The discussions also highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation in the fight against organized crime, particularly transnational criminal networks, illicit trafficking, and money laundering. This includes developing judicial cooperation mechanisms, exchanging information and expertise, and enhancing coordination between the competent authorities of both Kingdoms.
The two ministers also reviewed the mutual legal assistance (MLA) agreements and ways to update them in order to enhance their efficiency and speed in processing judicial requests. In this regard, they discussed prospects for reorganizing and optimizing procedures for the transfer of convicted persons, in accordance with national legislation and applicable international commitments.
On the sidelines of these talks, a two-year joint action plan was signed between the Ministry of Justice of the Kingdom of Morocco and the Ministry of Justice of the Kingdom of Belgium.
Signed by the director of Cooperation and Communication at the Moroccan Ministry of Justice, Rima Lablaili, and chairwoman of the Steering Committee of the Federal Public Service Justice of the Kingdom of Belgium, Mathilde Steenbergen, this plan constitutes an integrated program of joint activities aimed at strengthening legal and judicial cooperation in several areas.
This includes the development of judicial cooperation mechanisms, particularly in criminal matters, supporting joint efforts to combat organized and cross-border crime, and the exchange of experiences regarding the modernization of the judicial system and the digitalization of judicial services.
It also involves strengthening training programs and skills development for justice professionals, as well as improving coordination mechanisms related to the transfer of convicted persons and the enforcement of judicial decisions.
The signing of this action plan illustrates the commitment of both institutions to an operational, sustainable cooperation based on mutual trust and the sharing of expertise, thereby supporting judicial reforms and strengthening the strategic partnership between Morocco and Belgium.
The talks took place in the presence of Morocco’s ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Mohammed Amer, the Morocco-Belgium liaison judge, Imane El Malki, and the director of Criminal Affairs and Pardons at the Ministry of Justice, Hicham Mellati.
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