French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin’s visit to Morocco aims to enhance judicial cooperation, focusing on counter-terrorism and organized crime. He highlighted the effective collaboration in asset confiscation from drug traffickers and emphasized the need for improved measures. Ongoing diplomatic engagements reflect a strengthening relationship between France and Morocco.
French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin recently visited Morocco for a 24-hour trip aimed at enhancing judicial cooperation between France and Morocco. This marks his initial visit to Morocco in his current capacity. During an interview with Moroccan television, Darmanin acknowledged the effectiveness of the ongoing collaboration, highlighting Morocco’s intelligence efforts and its significant role in countering radicalization, which provides vital information for preventing potential attacks.
Darmanin addressed the challenges regarding asset confiscation from drug traffickers, stating, “We’re talking about houses, apartments, cars, sometimes cryptocurrencies that need to be seized, which Moroccan services do very well.” He noted a discrepancy, emphasizing the need for improvement in confiscation rates, as substantial seizures do not correspond with adequate confiscation on both shores of the Mediterranean.
During his visit, Darmanin is scheduled to hold discussions with Moroccan Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi and the King’s Prosecutor General, El-Hassan Daki. Meetings with M’hammed Abdenabaoui, First President of the Court of Cassation, are also on the agenda. Topics of dialogue will include counter-terrorism measures and organized crime, particularly exploring potential support from the French Agency for Managing and Recovering Seized and Confiscated Assets (Agrasc).
The collaboration between the two nations has yielded vital results, including the recent dismantling of several Islamic State-linked cells by Moroccan authorities. Furthermore, successful operations have led to the extradition of high-profile French drug traffickers.
This visit builds on Darmanin’s previous discussions in April 2024 when he participated in talks on security partnership in preparation for the Paris Olympics. That meeting underscored Morocco’s significant contributions, including its assistance in apprehending prominent drug traffickers.
In addition, Darmanin’s trip coincides with initiatives to facilitate the issuance of consular passes, crucial for expediting the deportation of irregular migrants from France. This ongoing diplomatic engagement reflects a strengthening relationship between France and Morocco, following France’s acknowledgment of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara region.
Furthermore, the minister intends to improve civil law cooperation, aiming to address various legal matters such as marriages, inheritances, and divorces, which will further solidify the bilateral ties between the two countries.
The recent visit by French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin underscores a commitment to enhancing judicial cooperation between France and Morocco. Key discussions focused on counter-terrorism, organized crime, and asset confiscation, while reinforcing the importance of collaboration in these areas. Furthermore, this visit highlights broader diplomatic efforts aimed at strengthening ties, facilitating legal processes, and addressing challenges associated with irregular migration.
Original Source: www.moroccoworldnews.com
