In a move that reflects the depth of the security partnership between Morocco and Spain, the Director General of National Security and the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance, Abdellatif Hammouchi, welcomed Major General Luis Balilez Benero, head of the intelligence division of the Spanish Civil Guard, on Wednesday morning in Rabat. This visit marks the first of its kind for the newly appointed Spanish official.
Major General Benero’s choice to visit Morocco at the start of his mission underscores the strength of the security ties between the two countries and a desire to continue enhancing bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of counter-terrorism and combating transnational organized crime. The discussions held between the Director General of National Security and the Spanish security official focused on ways to bolster cooperation in the security sector, through the development of partnership mechanisms and coordination of efforts to confront shared security challenges. Additionally, the talks included an exchange of perspectives on the terrorist threats affecting regional stability, particularly in the Sahel and Sahara region, in light of the tense situations in various conflict hotspots worldwide.
During the bilateral discussions, various successful and effective joint security operations between Morocco and Spain were reviewed, which have proven effective in neutralizing security threats at both the regional and international levels. Moreover, they discussed coordination mechanisms and strengthening bilateral efforts to ensure the success of the 2030 World Cup, which will be held in Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, particularly regarding mitigating risks and threats to public safety.
This meeting underscores the significant importance of Moroccan-Spanish bilateral cooperation in the security domain, as it represents an efficient and systematic model for collaboration between the two countries in the fight against terrorism, extremism, and illegal immigration. It reflects the strong conviction of both countries to work on coordination and proactive measures to reduce various shared threats and risks.
