In order to protect the security of their respective nations and pursue common interests, Morocco and France have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation in a number of areas of mutual consensus.
During a working visit to France, Abdellatif Hammouchi, the Director-General of Morocco’s Territorial Surveillance (DGST) and National Security (DGSN), made these remarks while in discussions with his French counterparts in the fields of Internal Security, External Security, and National Police.
According to a release from the DGSN-DGST Cluster, during the discussions, they talked about ways to improve bilateral collaboration in a range of security-related areas of shared interest.
The Director-Generals of Territorial Surveillance and National Security, respectively, met and spoke with France’s Director-Generals of External Security, Nicolas LERNER, and Internal Security, Céline BERTHON, during their visit (June 26–28).
The discussions focused on organising and examining measures to improve bilateral cooperation in the fight against terrorism and organized crime and to promote coordination and exchange of intelligence and operational data on various threats posed by extremist organizations and transnational crime networks.
During these talks, the Director-General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance was accompanied by an important security delegation representing the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance.
The Director-General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance also met with Fréderic Veaux, Director General of the French National Police, with whom he held intensive discussions.
The meeting, which was attended by a significant delegation from the General Directorate of National Security, looked at ways to advance coordination and cooperation between the two sides in a number of security-related areas, the statement said, especially with regard to the creation of proactive methods for risk assessment and data sharing outside of cooperative efforts to secure the Summer Olympics in Paris in 2024.
The French National Police presented the Director-General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance with the Gold Medal of Honour in appreciation of the excellent Morocco-France cooperation in a number of security-related fields.
This was done in recognition of his efforts to strengthen and advance cooperative security cooperation.
In order to combat transnational crime, particularly the smuggling of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, illegal migration networks, and human trafficking, the French and Moroccan sides discussed during the visit how to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in a number of areas.
They also discussed practical mechanisms for cooperation in the implementation of joint security measures and operations.
As both countries deal with similar security concerns and have numerous bilateral action and coordination programmes in common, the visit confirms the need of enhancing bilateral security cooperation between Morocco and France, the same source said.
Additionally, in order to guarantee a successful contribution to the fight against terrorist and criminal threats at large, the General Directorates of National Security and National Territorial Surveillance participate in international security cooperation.
