The European Union and Morocco held a meeting this Tuesday in Brussels aimed at consolidating their collaboration on peace and security in the Maghreb and across Africa. The meeting focused on the fight against terrorism, the strengthening of cybersecurity, and the defense of multilateralism, the United Nations, and respect for International Law.
This meeting constitutes the second High-Level Dialogue on Security between the EU and Morocco, following the first edition held in May 2024 in Rabat. It comes, moreover, a few months after the EU-Morocco Association Council that took place in January in Brussels, prior to the outbreak of the crisis in Ceuta.
According to a statement from the European External Action Service (EEAS), "The delegations exchanged views on their respective peace and security initiatives in the Maghreb and Africa, including the Sahel region. The discussions also addressed the security situation in the Middle East, including Iran, the occupied Palestinian territories, Lebanon, and Syria, as well as in Ukraine."
Representing the European Union was Romanian diplomat Cosmin Dobran, director of Peace, Partnerships, and Crisis Management at the EEAS. From the Moroccan side, Ismail Chekkori, director of Global Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Morocco, attended.
During the meeting, both officials discussed "various areas of cooperation," including the fight against terrorism and violent extremism, coordination in international cybersecurity, and issues related to non-proliferation and disarmament.
They also reiterated their joint support for "an international order based on rules," for effective multilateralism, for "the role of the United Nations and its charter," and for respect for International Law. They also decided to "deepen their cooperation in international and regional forums, particularly in the Euro-Mediterranean area" and with their African partners, in order to promote "long-term stability, peace, and security."
The EEAS specified that this High-Level Dialogue on Security between the EU and Morocco is organized periodically, alternating the venue between Rabat and Brussels.
Cooperation with Rabat after the migration crisis in Ceuta
The Brussels meeting takes place months after the massive entry of migrants from Moroccan territory to the autonomous city of Ceuta, an episode after which the community institutions have reiterated that they consider Rabat an essential partner for the European Union, especially in the area of migration management.
In this context, the European Commission has advocated for maintaining and strengthening joint work with the Moroccan authorities to curb irregular migration and dismantle human trafficking networks, while also demanding their involvement to facilitate the return of those who do not have authorization to remain on European soil.
In her State of the Union address (SOTEU, for its acronym in English) on September 16, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, addressed the people of Ceuta to emphasize that "the border of Ceuta is the border of Europe" and to state that, consequently, "Europe will be there" for them.
"All our external borders are European borders. Therefore, I want to speak directly to the Spaniards. The border of Ceuta is a European border because Ceuta is Spain. Ceuta is Europe. And Europe will be there for you," she emphasized," she claimed.