CAIRO — Spain has upgraded military relations with neighboring
Morocco as part of joint efforts to thart terrorism and illegal migration.
Officials said Spain, which maintains an enclave along the North African
coast, has been helping Morocco in counter-insurgency, blocking illegal
migration and planning. They said the two countries have coordinated naval
operations in the western Mediterranean.
Officials said the two Mediterranean countries have agreed to expand
military cooperation over the next year. They said the agreement would
include military exercises, training and Spanish technical assistance to the
Royal Moroccan Navy and Coast Guard.
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On April 15, Morocco concluded three days of talks with Spain on
military cooperation. The talks, held in Madrid, took place in the framework
of the Sixth Moroccan-Spanish joint Military Commission, which has been
meeting annually since 2005.
The Moroccan delegation was headed by military inspector-general and
Southern Command chief Gen. Abdul Aziz Bin Ani. Bin Ani met senior Spanish
officials including Defense Minister Carme Chacon and Chief of Staff Gen.
Jose Fernandez.
"Morocco is making significant efforts to fight illegal immigration,
drug trafficking and international terrorism," Chacon said.
The official Moroccan news agency said Spain has invited Morocco to a
naval exercise titled "Seaboard." Neither country said whether or when the
exercise would take place.