Spain Urges EU to Boost Funding for Morocco’s Anti-Immigration Efforts

In an article titled "Spain is stepping up pressure on the EU to give Morocco more funds", the Spanish newspaper El Pais states that several Spanish officials would have taken direct steps with European officials to provide more financial support to Morocco.

El Pais writes that three Spanish officials, during the visit to Madrid on May 10 of Simon Mordue, Deputy Director General for Migration and Home Affairs of the European Union, told him the same thing: "We must increase financial support to Morocco".

Two of these officials were named by the media. They are: Élena Garzon, Director General of International Relations and Immigration at the Ministry of the Interior and Juan Enrique Taborda, Head of the General Commissariat for Foreigners and Borders.

El Pais writes: "Garzon and Taborda also insisted that Brussels execute ’as soon as possible’ the aid promised to Morocco seven months ago, i.e. 140 million euros, which have not yet been fully transferred to the great dismay of the Moroccans. The government does not want to give Morocco a single excuse to stop controlling its borders - as it has been doing more intensively since February - but Brussels has its own rhythms".