Morocco Agrees to Repatriate Unaccompanied Minors from France in Bilateral Talks

Morocco is preparing to repatriate unaccompanied minors (UAMs) in France. During a press conference at the end of his talks with the French Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, Abdelouafi Laftit indicated that his counterpart and he had discussed issues of common interest and ways to further strengthen cooperation, in accordance with the ambitions and aspirations of King Mohammed VI and the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, for an "enhanced partnership of exception".

Regarding migration issues and in accordance with the declaration on the "Enhanced Partnership of Exception" signed by the sovereign and his guest, "our respective departments will contribute to the construction of the global agenda including both the facilitation of legal mobility, the fight against irregular immigration and cooperation in the field of readmission and prevention of departures," he added.

The Moroccan official said that King Mohammed VI has given instructions for the repatriation of duly identified UAMs. He also recalled that a multidisciplinary team had traveled to France in June 2018 to assist the French authorities. In addition, a procedure scheme for the concerted return of UAMs was signed in December 2020 between the Ministries of Justice of the two countries. Currently, Morocco has prepared the appropriate reception logistics through protection and training centers, for the return of UAMs, the Moroccan official said.

Addressing the issue of Obligations to Leave the French Territory (OQTF), Laftit stressed that it is treated within the framework of shared responsibility. "Overall, the Permanent Mixed Migration Group Morocco-France, which meets regularly, allows all related issues to be dealt with in a fluid, dispassionate and optimal manner," he specified.

Other topics discussed: the Kingdom’s overall strategy against drug and psychotropic substance trafficking, based on the triptych of combating trafficking networks, reducing supply and strengthening international cooperation. "At the level of bilateral cooperation, the Moroccan and French security services maintain a lasting and privileged cooperation, focused on the dismantling of these networks," Laftit assured.