Spain Minister: Madrid Wants to Maintain Important, Strategic Ties with Rabat
The minister made his latest comments in an interview today with Cala Sur channel, held on the sidelines of the 5th Ministerial Meeting of the European Coalition Against Organized Crime held in Cadiz.
Morocco is a 'Strategic and reliable partner' with which Spain hopes to maintain close security cooperation, particularly in the fight against drug trafficking and transnational crime, Grande-Marlaska said.
He also defined cooperation between the two countries as 'excellent,' pointing out the progress made in all areas including in the battle against drug trafficking and transnational crime.
Grande-Marlaska's remarks come just a day after Morocco's General Directorate of Surveillance (DGST) provided Spanish security services with essential intelligence that enabled the European country to carry out a major drug bust.
With considerable aid from Moroccan intelligence, Spanish police seized over two tons of cannabis.
The operation took place on the northern coast of Tenerife Island in the Canary Islands.
Spanish police also arrested six suspects during the operation.
This is not the first time that Moroccan police have helped their Spanish counterparts in security operations.
Earlier this month, Spanish police arrested three suspects in Toledo on suspicion of terrorism thanks to intelligence from Morocco.
Beyond security cooperation, Morocco and Spain share good bilateral ties and cooperate in other fields, including trade.
According to official data from the Spanish government, Spain's agri-food fisheries exports to Morocco accounted for 1.6% of its total exports worldwide in 2022.
'Morocco ranks 12th among our buyers and 8th among our[agri-food and fisheries exports (AAP)]suppliers globally,' the data said .
AAP imports from Morocco represented 3.9% of Spain's total AAP imports.
Politically, Spain and Morocco celebrated a milestone in 2022, when the Spanish government endorsed the country's Autonomy Plan as the most serious plan to end the dispute over Western Sahara.
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