Morocco and Spain signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on Judicial Cooperation on Tuesday in Madrid, ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup. The agreement was signed by Moroccan Minister of Justice Abdellatif Ouahbi and his Spanish counterpart, Félix Bolaños. Signed on the sidelines of a ministerial meeting, this declaration strengthens the historic bilateral cooperation between Morocco and Spain. The agreement focuses on enhancing judicial collaboration to combat organized crime through increased dialogue and reinforced existing partnerships. It also aims to modernize the judicial system, including digitizing justice, improving access, promoting alternative dispute resolution, and managing cross-border cases. Recognizing the crucial role of effective judicial cooperation in supporting the joint organization of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, the declaration seeks to strengthen joint commissions by convening regular meetings under existing civil and criminal mutual legal assistance agreements. This initiative builds on discussions from the April 2024 meetings in Madrid. In this context, and considering the trilateral nature of the tournament, the ministers reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation through specific agreements. Notably, they emphasized the role of the Morocco-Spain-Portugal Joint Justice Commission, which will serve as a structured framework for collaboration until the tournament's conclusion.
