Spain has managed to stop an overwhelming surge in illegal immigration after joining efforts with Morocco, Associated Press (AP) reported on Friday. Quoting an internal European Union report, the American press agency reveals that sea arrivals dropped in February, indicating that the country's «intensified efforts to stop the migrants before they're able to reach European waters are paying off». «In the last four months, the increased cooperation between Spanish and Moroccan authorities has significantly contributed to decrease the illegal migratory flows towards Spain», wrote AP, quoting the report which was handed to EU member nations in March. According to the same source, the EU document did not explain how Morocco «held back migrants». Speaking to the American news agency, EU office dealing with relations with neighboring countries said that the European Union «has spent 232 million euros ($262 million) on migration-related projects with Morocco since 2014, mostly in border control and fighting smugglers», which included the 140 million-euro border management package granted to Rabat last year. Meanwhile, the Spanish Interior Ministry told the same source in a written response that cooperation with Morocco helped decrease the number of migrant arrivals in Spain. The Ministry also said that Spain has given 75 vehicles to Moroccan authorities to control its borders. The Spanish Interior Ministry admitted that the country has «acted as an advocate for Moroccan interests in the EU», which it called «fair and fundamental to maintain security and coexistence in the Mediterranean Sea», the same source concluded.
