Switzerland has praised the relentless efforts made by Morocco to tackle migration-related challenges at a regional level.
Christine Schraner Burgener, State Secretary for Migration, noted that Morocco holds a “vital position between Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe, making it more exposed to migration flows.”
The Swiss official expressed her satisfaction with the close cooperation between Morocco and the Swiss Confederation in the field of migration, noting that both countries face similar challenges in this area.
Burgener added that the cooperation between the two nations regarding migration is “going very well.” She emphasized that the strong ties, which have been in place for over a century between Morocco and Switzerland, serve as a facilitative factor for their collaboration in migration.
In a joint declaration in Bern on December 3, 2021, the Kingdom of Morocco and the Swiss Confederation expressed their desire to strengthen their collaboration in the realm of migration, guided by the spirit of partnership at bilateral, regional, and multilateral levels.
The first meeting of the permanent joint Moroccan-Swiss group on migration was chaired by both Khaled Zerouali, Director of Immigration and Border Control, and Burgener.
Both sides expressed satisfaction in establishing this framework for dialogue and coordination, aiming to elevate and bolster their bilateral partnership in the field of migration across its multifarious sectoral dimensions.
The two parties also agreed on exploring and amplifying opportunities to stimulate movement between the countries in a structured and controlled manner.
Throughout the discussions, both sides also decided to enhance their operational cooperation by sharing information, expertise, training, and technical support.
In this context, the two entities formed two subcommittees.
These committees will focus in the near term on developing and establishing a roadmap through tangible initiatives across all areas of migration, whether it relates to the operational aspects linked to irregular migration or those associated with organized mobility.
