Frontex Chief Praises Morocco’s Efforts in Curbing Migrant Flow to Europe

"Rabat has done and will do a lot in terms of migration management to prevent Moroccan territory from becoming a departure point for Spain and the European Union," said the executive director of the European border control agency (Frontex), Fabrice Leggeri, in an interview with Europa Press, stating that the effectiveness of Rabat in terms of migration management is explained by the control of the Western Mediterranean migration route.

Continuing his argument, Leggeri added: "We have about the same level of arrivals as last year, which shows that the Moroccan authorities have even strengthened their management of departures from Morocco and have taken measures to combat criminal activities related to human trafficking." An improvement that is reflected in the good collaboration that exists between Frontex and the Moroccan authorities, despite the situation that occurred in Ceuta last May. For the head of Frontex, "it was an isolated incident and it is probably not necessary to exaggerate its content, because the cooperation (with Morocco) is excellent."

Moreover, the Moroccan authorities very quickly stopped the migration flows towards Ceuta. However, Leggeri refrains from any comment on the diplomatic contacts that took place. But, he placed particular emphasis on the fact that Rabat is "very active" in its collaboration with Frontex and the EU, as well as with Spain "on a daily basis in the operational field."