Moroccan Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit and his Spanish counterpart, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, convened in Madrid on February 10, 2025. The meeting focused on deepening dialogue surrounding mutual interests. The ministers expressed their «satisfaction with the excellent partnership between the two nations, built on the sincere friendship and mutual respect between His Majesty King Mohammed VI, May God Assist Him, and His Majesty King Don Felipe VI, as well as their respective Royal Families». This partnership has gained strategic momentum, thanks to an ambitious roadmap established on April 7, 2022, following discussions between King Mohammed VI and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The roadmap's implementation continues with determination. On shared security issues, the ministers highlighted the depth and effectiveness of their bilateral cooperation. They noted significant achievements, particularly in thwarting criminal and terrorist threats across the Mediterranean. To enhance security, they agreed to bolster anticipation capabilities, operational coordination, and the exchange of information and expertise. Regarding migration, the ministers underscored the importance of active solidarity in combating migrant smuggling and human trafficking. They committed to promoting regular and organized migratory flows to foster closer ties between their peoples. They also praised initiatives within the Groupe Migratoire Mixte Permanent (GMMP), which plays a crucial role in this cooperation. The ministers lauded the success of Operation Marhaba/Transit 2024 and discussed preparations for the 2025 edition. This operation stands as a model of harmonious cooperation between both countries' institutions. They acknowledged the decisive role of the Fondation Mohammed V pour la Solidarité in ensuring its success. In terms of international events, the leaders discussed coordinating the organization of the 2030 FIFA World Cup. They emphasized optimizing synergies among the three host countries to ensure the event's success. Finally, the ministers praised the spirit of solidarity uniting the Moroccan and Spanish peoples. This was recently exemplified by Spanish rescue teams' deployment following the Al Haouz earthquake and Moroccan teams' assistance during severe weather in the Valencian Community.
