Assahafa.com
Elma Saiz, Spanish Minister of Inclusion and Migration renewed on Wednesday the importance of migratory cooperation with Morocco, describing the North African kingdom as a friendly and partner country.
“Cooperation with Morocco, a friendly and partner country, is based on innovative migration policies such as circular migration, as well as solid economic and commercial exchanges,” Saiz said.
The minister made remarks before her work visit to Morocco to mark the conclusion of the first “Wafira” program, a pilot project aimed at developing female entrepreneurship for seasonal migrant workers from rural Moroccan communities.
She said the program is a “striking example of the success” of the strategic collaboration with Morocco, adding that the project benefited 209 Moroccan women.
This seeks to enable women to develop their skills and participate in the development of their local communities, the minister said, pointing out that 100% of participants seek to renew their involvement.
Over 66% of the participants report significant improvements in both their professional and personal skills, the minister said, noting that the program covers different economic and social sectors that demonstrate how circular migration can serve as a lever for growth and transformation.
Circular migration reflects the temporary and repetitive movement of a migrant worker between home and host regions.
Spain has been hosting many workers from Morocco, especially – women who travel seasonally to Spanish farms to contribute to collecting red fruits.
The Wafira program benefits both Morocco and Spain, emphasizing the need to continue the collaboration in the future for more effective management of human mobility.
Saiz’ visit aims to boost circular migration projects and deepen cooperation with the kingdom.
“The visit will focus on evaluating the program’s results and considering possibilities for its extension. With strong political will, such initiatives can be strengthened and extended,” she said.
Said noted that the visit to Morocco will be marked with meetings and initiatives.
Despite sharp criticism from Spanish media and some MPs, the two countries are determined to continue boosting cooperation at all levels – particularly migration, security, and trade.
Over the years, Spain has acknowledged benefiting on multiple occasions from Morocco’s proactive approaches to handling terrorist threats and human trafficking.
Many Spanish officials have frequently highlighted the country’s intelligence efforts that have enabled Spain to avoid serious terrorist attacks.
Spain and Morocco are also intensifying trade cooperation.
On Monday, Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister Jose Manuel Albares said that commercial exchanges between the two countries amounted to €24 billion, noting that the Spanish-Moroccan relations are at their “best moment.”
He also recognized both countries’ cooperation in other areas, including in the fight against terrorism, irregular migration, and human trafficking.
“Morocco plays a fundamental role in the fight against human trafficking gangs and terrorist groups,” the diplomat said.
Earlier today, Morocco’s Ministry of Interior noted the country’s security efforts to tackle irregular migration. The ministry’s data shows that Morocco prevented 78,685 irregular migration attempts last year.
Moroccan police also dismantled 332 human trafficking networks during the same year.
Source: Morocco word news
