(Ecofin Agency) - The Spanish government approved on July 19 a €30 million financial support to Morocco to help fight illegal immigration.
According to El País, the aid will enable the Moroccan authorities cover the costs incurred in their collaboration with Spain and the whole of the European Union in border control and the fight against illegal immigration on the Spanish coast. Specifically, the money will be used to maintain land and sea patrol equipment, cover fuel costs, regimes and operational compensation for crews.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that last year, the sea route between Spain and North Africa was the busiest, with about 56,000 arrivals. 769 migrants reportedly died in this part of the Mediterranean last year.
However, figures by the Spanish government showed that illegal immigration between Morocco and Spain fell by almost 27% in the first quarter of 2019 compared to last year, thanks to better border control.
Still, to fight the big phenomenon of illegal immigration, the European Union granted Morocco €140 million.
Moutiou Adjibi Nourou