Morocco and Spain Coordinate 2023 Strait Crossing Operation for Returning Expatriates

The objective of this meeting was to specify the details of the Special Civil Protection Plan for the operation dedicated to MREs, which will be finalized in the coming weeks and will cover all the necessary aspects for the deployment of the system.

On the Moroccan side, the Moroccan Ambassador to Spain, Karima Benyaich, the Director of Migration and Border Surveillance of Morocco, Khalid Zerouali, as well as senior officials from the General Directorate of National Security and the Royal Gendarmerie, were present, accompanied by representatives from various ministries.

The joint commission also addressed the operational arrangements that the two countries will put in place to ensure the smooth running of the operation. These arrangements, similar to those implemented last year, aim to guarantee the fluidity and security of traffic, assistance to travelers, as well as the prevention and protection of public health.

The fleet plans were discussed during the meeting in order to guarantee an offer adapted to the daily traffic of passengers and vehicles. In addition, additional personnel will be mobilized in the ports to ensure transit, both from Europe to Morocco and during the second return phase of OPE-23.

Finally, the two countries agreed to strengthen and coordinate the information exchange channels to continue working on aspects such as the management of high traffic days, the possibility of exchanging tickets and other conditions of maritime crossings.