Morocco is bolstering its security cooperation with European partners, particularly Spain and Germany, as the country prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal. A key focus of these strengthened partnerships is ensuring a secure environment for the major sporting event.
Abdellatif Hammouchi, Director General of Morocco’s National Security and Territorial Surveillance (DGSN-DGST), met with Francisco Pardo Piqueras, Director General of the Spanish Police, and Dieter Romann, President of the German Bundespolizei, in Madrid on Wednesday. The meeting underscored the shared commitment to enhancing security collaboration to address transnational threats.
Invited by the Spanish National Police, Hammouchi’s visit aimed to deepen bilateral security relations and foster greater exchange of expertise between the security forces of the three nations. Discussions centered on expanding cooperation in key areas, including counter-terrorism, combating irregular migration, and stemming drug trafficking.
A joint statement released after the meeting highlighted the effectiveness of the existing security partnership between Morocco and Spain and emphasized the need for enhanced coordination to confront evolving threats. Discussions specifically addressed current security challenges and strategies to improve prevention and rapid response mechanisms.
The joint hosting of the 2030 World Cup adds a strategic dimension to this cooperation. Recognizing the heightened security demands of such a large-scale event, Morocco and Spain are committed to intensifying collaboration across multiple areas, including technical assistance and police training. Their shared objective is to establish a robust and coordinated security system capable of ensuring the smooth operation of the competition and proactively addressing potential threats.
This increased cooperation comes amidst attempts by some actors to undermine Morocco’s growing ties with its European partners. However, the reaffirmed commitment from Spain and Germany to strengthen their partnerships with Rabat demonstrates a clear recognition of Morocco’s vital role in regional stability and its effective management of shared security concerns.
Through the consolidation of ties and the establishment of enhanced cooperation mechanisms, Morocco, Spain, and Germany are demonstrating their resolve to collectively address future security challenges and build a foundation for long-term, effective collaboration.
MK/ac/sf/lb/abj/APA