Brussels wants to strengthen migration partnership with Morocco

The EU reaffirms its strategic partnership with Morocco on migration

Ursula von der Leyen has reaffirmed the European Union’s willingness to cooperate with Morocco on migration and security issues. In a letter addressed to EU leaders ahead of their summit in Brussels, the Commission President presents this partnership as a strategic and comprehensive cooperation.

This framework draws lessons from the Ceuta crisis. It covers the prevention of illegal departures, the strengthening of border management, information exchange, improved coordination on returns and readmissions, and the fight against smuggling networks.

The Ceuta crisis demonstrated how quickly a sudden influx can put European borders under pressure, with tragic human consequences. The EU promises its support to Spain for the return of migrants who entered Ceuta irregularly, in line with Rabat’s commitment to readmit them.

Ursula von der Leyen highlights a 56 % drop in irregular arrivals in the EU between 2022 and 2026, while the return rate has risen from 17 % to 32 %. She nevertheless calls for vigilance in the face of persistent challenges.

This development confirms Morocco’s central place in the European migration architecture. The kingdom’s stability and capacity for action make it an indispensable interlocutor for Brussels, well beyond circumstantial fluctuations.

Share this article

Related articles

14 October 2026

61 Moroccan “saboteurs” in Oran: what Algiers’ own photos really tell

Three jet skis at the back of the official photo, a sign about migrant smuggling, no target. And a second image, with 300-euro notes that do not exist. What the photos of the 61 Moroccans in Oran really tell.

14 October 2026

Port congestion. Habib Hjiaj: The port is a transit point, not a storage facility

Port congestion generates $100M in demurrage over five months in 2026, with wait times rising from 12 to 25 days. The cause is prolonged port storage instead of transit. The new ANP regulation requires operators to invest in storage and evacuation capacities to durably reduce the foreign exchange bill.

13 October 2026

Commander Hakima Edahri, Moroccan peacekeeper in Goma: the women of the Royal Armed Forces serving peace

An officer of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces and a mother of five, she protects civilians in North Kivu with MONUSCO. Her story tells of sixty-six years of Moroccan commitment to peace, and of the place women are taking in it.

Related practical guides

Have a project in Morocco?

Find a LesMRE-verified expert to guide you through your steps.