Nasser Bourita, the minister of foreign affairs, african cooperation, and Moroccan expatriates, stated on Sunday in Rome that Morocco has distinguished itself as a major participant in the management of migration in the Mediterranean.

« Under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, Morocco has accumulated proven experience in the governance of migratory flows over more than two decades”, the Minister told MAP, at the end of his participation, under the King, in the International Conference on Development and Migration, chaired by the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni.

The Minister noted that the African Agenda on Migration, which the King presented in His capacity as the AU Leader on the issue of Migration, reflects the Royal Vision and that it aims to make migration a lever for co-development, a pillar of South-South cooperation, and a vector of solidarity. This Agenda considers migration as a factor in bringing populations and civilizations closer together.

Morocco “does not treat migration as a theoretical issue, but as a lived reality,” claims Bourita. Despite a multitude of obstacles, he noted, “The Kingdom has provided concrete responses at national, inter-regional, continental, and multilateral levels.”

He added that the two regularization operations, the implementation of responsible and humane border management, and the health protection of migrants during the COVID19 pandemic were examples of good practices in migrant integration Morocco has developed at the national level. At the continental level, the Kingdom has also hosted the African Observatory on Migration, which was established in 2021.

Morocco initiated the first concrete implementation roadmap for the Marrakech Compact, which was initiated within the framework of the 5+5 Mediterranean Dialogue, and was the precursor in 2006 of the Euro-African Dialogue on Migration and Development, known as the Rabat Process, which it currently chairs, added the Minister.

Since it hosted the Conference where it was adopted and was acknowledged as one of the first Champions of its implementation, Morocco is the moral depositary of the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration, also known as the Marrakech Compact, he said.

The Minister emphasized that Morocco will contribute to the Rome Process in accordance with the High Royal Instructions, noting that he had been in close communication with the Italian president of the meeting so that its viewpoints may be reflected in the meeting’s conclusions.

These include the African Agenda for Migration, which was presented by the Sovereign and adopted by the African Heads of State in January 2018, the balance between the various dimensions of migration, both legal and illegal, through enshrining the positive narrative on migration and the importance of channels for legal migration, as well as the enshrining of African priorities in this area, particularly for increased solidarity towards the continent, according to Bourita.

The integration of the Euro-African Dialogue on Migration and Development, which Morocco started in 2006, a clearer reference to the standards of international law, in particular human rights and humanitarian law, and the elimination of invasive concepts like “hot spots” are all supported, he continued. The Kingdom also supports the establishment of shared responsibility for the effective management of migration and the non-singularization of transit countries.

The UN Migration Compact, which was ratified in Marrakech in 2018 and whose renewal process Morocco actively and significantly participated in, was also acknowledged in the conclusions, he added.

Leaders from States on the southern shore of the enlarged Mediterranean, the Middle East and the Gulf, European Union member states, a number of countries from the Sahel and the Horn of Africa, as well as heads of European institutions and international financial institutions, attended the event, which was organized at the initiative of the Italian government under the theme “Commitments and shared solutions for the Mediterranean and Africa.”

The conference, according to the Italian Council of Ministers, aims to establish a global roadmap for the implementation of concrete measures for growth and development throughout the Mediterranean and Africa, address the causes of irregular migration flows to stop human traffickers’ illegal activities, find solutions to protect the environment and address the challenges of energy diversification and climate change, and tackle the root causes of irregular migration flows.

Read also: Moroccan Sahara: Bouaida Sees Israel’s Recognition ‘Just’, ‘Historic’

The post Bourita: Morocco is a prominent participant in Mediterranean migrant governance appeared first on Morocco Telegraph.

The action plan for the multidimensional strategic Partnership was signed on Wednesday in Rome by the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Italy.

The joint declaration Morocco and Italy signed on November 1, 2019 in Rabat expressed their desire to establish bilateral ties within the framework of a multidimensional strategic Partnership, geared toward ongoing communication and practical, mutually beneficial cooperation. Through this action plan, Morocco and Italy reaffirm that desire.

The action plan primarily, but not completely, focuses on collaboration in the areas of security and justice, economic, energy, and sustainable development.

Along with collaboration on migration and consular concerns, it also encompasses cooperation in the areas of culture, universities, research and development, intercultural and interreligious discussion, and more.

The formation of a relationship Council and related committees is called for in the action plan for carrying out the multifaceted strategic relationship between Morocco and Italy.

The Partnership Council, which is organized at the level of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, will meet annually, alternating between Rabat and Rome, to monitor and define priority areas of cooperation, formulate recommendations, evaluate the results of the previous year’s work, and advance and strengthen cooperation for the upcoming one. It can be made available for other ministers to participate, if necessary.

Senior officials that make up the Committees will convene to make sure that the Partnership Council’s recommendations are followed up on and put into practice.

They are the Committee for Political and Diplomatic Dialogue, Committee for Cooperation on International Peace and Security, Committee for Cooperation on International Justice, Committee for Economic, Energy and Sustainable Development Cooperation, Committee for Cultural, Academic, Research and Development Cooperation and Intercultural and Interfaith Dialogue, and Committee for Migration and Consular Affairs.

On the invitation of his Italian colleague, Antonio Tajani, Nasser Bourita, the minister of foreign affairs, African cooperation, and Moroccan expatriates, will travel to Italy this Wednesday, July 5. Following Tajani’s nomination as the Italian Republic’s Vice-President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in October 2022, this is Bourita’s first trip to Italy.

Read also: Kingdom of Morocco, Sultanate of Oman Determined to Develop Bilateral Cooperation

The post Morocco, Italy Sign Action Plan for Implementation of Multidimensional Strategic Partnership appeared first on Morocco Telegraph.

Omar Zniber, the ambassador and permanent representative of Morocco in Geneva, stated on Tuesday that through exchanging best practices and creating workable solutions, Morocco is assisting in the development of a more inclusive and equitable global society with regard to migration.

The diplomat made this statement during the 32nd meeting of the Standing Committee on Programs and Finance of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which is coordinated under the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration. The Compact “guarantees the dignity, respect, and integration of migrants” with its 23 objectives, he continued.

In February 2023, Morocco has chosen to make a contribution to the IOM Multipartner Migration Fund (MPTF), according to Zniber, who also said that this initiative aims to send a strong political message of collaboration and successful multilateralism in accordance with the spirit and word of the Marrakech Pact.

The largest African and Arab contributor to the MPTF Fund of the IOM, Morocco is further formalizing its pledges with this payment, according to Zniber.

The diplomat continued, “Building on its successes, Morocco has committed itself to ten new commitments by 2026 to pursue the effective implementation of the Pact.”

The diplomat emphasized the necessity of paying close attention to the issue of climate change, pointing out that Africa is the region most impacted by the so-called “climate migrants” and their effects on societal resilience, forced migration, and livelihoods.

“In this context, we note with appreciation that IOM allocates 30% of the operational part of its budget to climate change action and risk reduction considerations,” he said at the occasion, which also featured the presentation of IOM’s 2022 activity report by its director general.

Innovation, prosperity, and sustainable development are all impacted by migration. He stated, “Orderly and humane migration benefits both migrants and societies.”

Read Also: Morocco, Switzerland Commend Excellent Level of Bilateral Relations, Positive Dynamic Characterizing their Partnership

The post Geneva: Morocco Contributes to Building More Inclusive, Equitable Global Migration Community appeared first on Morocco Telegraph.

Eric Van der Burg, the Dutch minister of immigration, arrived in Morocco yesterday to meet with Abdelouafi Laftit, the Moroccan minister of interior, to discuss the ongoing immigration and asylum issues between the two nations.

In comments quoted by the Dutch newspaper “De Telegraaf,” Van der Burg said that negotiations with Morocco on immigration and asylum issues are “very advanced,” adding that “We want to do something about unaccompanied Moroccan minors who come to Europe without the opportunity for asylum.”

The Dutch minister confirmed that he had “received a promise” from the Moroccan Interior Minister, Abdelouafi Laftit, to visit the Netherlands “soon” in order to expedite work on these files, particularly the return of immigrants and asylum seekers to Morocco.

Op veel terreinen zijn we de samenwerking met Marokko aan het versterken. Op het gebied van migratie bijvoorbeeld. Denk aan terugkeer, maar ook het bestrijden van mensensmokkel. Mijn ontmoeting vandaag in Marokko met minister Laftit is een belangrijke stap in onze sterke relatie. pic.twitter.com/gZGVig4gTc

— Eric van der Burg (@ericvanderburg) February 21, 2023

26 of the 125 Moroccans who sought asylum since July 2021 have been deported using a passport, a temporary Moroccan entry document that Morocco had long since suspended and which the Netherlands hopes to adopt. Of the 125 Moroccans who sought asylum, 83 returned voluntarily and 42 were deported forcibly since that time.

140 Moroccan asylum seekers are currently detained in immigration detention facilities and are awaiting deportation to Morocco after issuing documents accepting their return, according to data from the same source.

In the Netherlands, 700 Moroccans apply for asylum on average each year (720 applications in the previous year), but fewer than 3% of them are successful in getting residence permits in the nation of Europe.

After exhausting all options for obtaining asylum or residency in other European nations, hundreds of Moroccans are forced to leave the Netherlands because the Dutch authorities are unaware of the final destination of 70% of rejected Moroccan immigrants, 1,126 of whom left the country last year alone.

According to “Da Telegraaf,” those in charge of immigration and asylum are placing their bets on the resumption of cooperation with Morocco in this area, which will give them the opportunity to hold rejected asylum seekers in temporary residence centers for immigrants while they are being deported. Because these centers are aware of the overcrowding, the situation is difficult.

Read Also: Israeli Air Force Commander arrives to Morocco for official visit with senior military delegation

According to a communication to the Ministry of the Interior, Abdelouafi Laftit invoked royal instructions during yesterday’s negotiations for the return of all unaccompanied Moroccan minors whose identities have been fully established, in full respect for their rights, their higher interests, and the international commitments made by the two parties.

After a period of “diplomatic estrangement,” Moroccan-Dutch relations have since resumed their upward trajectory, particularly since May 2022, when the Kingdom of the Netherlands viewed Morocco’s 2007 proposal for Saharan autonomy as a serious and credible addition to the UN-sponsored political process for finding a resolution to the conflict.

The post Dutch Minister of Immigration meets with Minister of Interior for migration and asylum file appeared first on Morocco Telegraph.