Speaking at a press briefing following his talks with French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, Laftit said the meeting was an opportunity to address issues of common interest and ways to further strengthen cooperation, in line with the ambitions and aspirations of HM King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, and His Excellency the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, for a “reinforced exceptional partnership.”

With regard to migration issues, and in accordance with the declaration on the “reinforced exceptional partnership” signed by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, and His Excellency President Emmanuel Macron, “our respective departments will contribute to building the global agenda including the facilitation of legal mobility, the fight against irregular immigration and cooperation on readmission and the prevention of departures,” he added.

According to Laftit, this also involves strengthening coordination between countries of origin, transit and destination, based on the principle of shared responsibility.

“In line with the same declaration, we agreed to further consolidate security cooperation, identified as a strategic sector likely to receive greater attention and effort,” the Minister added.

He noted that “regarding unaccompanied Moroccan minors, His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, has given His High Instructions for the repatriation of duly identified UAMs,” recalling that a multidisciplinary team travelled to France in June 2018 to assist the French authorities and that a procedural outline for the concerted return of UAMs was signed, in December 2020, between the Ministries of Justice of the two countries.

To this end, Morocco has prepared the appropriate reception logistics through protection and training centers, he said.

Laftit also pointed out that the issue of Obligations to Leave French Territory is the focus of particular attention on both sides, stressing that it is dealt with within the framework of shared responsibility.

“Overall, the Morocco-France Permanent Joint Migration Group, which meets regularly, enables all related issues to be dealt with smoothly, dispassionately and optimally,” he added.

The Moroccan official noted that the meeting also served to underline the Kingdom's global strategy against drug and psychotropic substance trafficking, based on combating trafficking networks, reducing supply and strengthening international cooperation.

“In terms of bilateral cooperation, Moroccan and French security services have a long-standing and privileged relationship, focused on dismantling these networks,” he concluded.