Fernando Grande-Marlaska advocates cooperation with countries of origin and transit of migration to European Home Affairs Ministers

Fernando Grande-Marlaska insisted on prevention as the best strategy to combat illegal immigration. To that end, he stressed that the EU should support North African countries in fighting criminal networks and in strengthening their border control capabilities, but also in promoting legal migration channels and the integration of those who arrive in EU countries.

The minister recalled that terrorism, organised crime and human trafficking networks do not recognise borders. Hence, greater security and stability in North Africa and in the Sahel are synonymous with greater security for the whole of the European Union.

The Minister for Home Affairs acknowledged the efforts being made by countries in the region - Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and Senegal - and insisted that they require resources to develop their intentions to continuing to contribute to controlling illegal immigration and enhancing security.

By way of example, the minister quoted the case of Spain, which both at a bilateral level and within the framework of European actions and projects, maintains its firm commitment to work with and cooperate with its partners in North Africa and the Sahel. This work includes development cooperation projects and security initiatives, such as the creation of joint National Police and Guardia Civil teams with the police forces of those countries to combat terrorism and organised crime.

In this regard, he highlighted the collaboration with Morocco, which is a preferential partner for Spain in combating illegal immigration from Sub-Saharan Africa. The minister argued to his European partners that Morocco needs the aid offered by the EU to be materialised and increased in order to strengthen its reception system and the control of its borders.

Within the framework of the Conference, the minister held bilateral meetings on migratory policy with the European Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Dimitris Avramopoulos, and with the Home Affairs Ministers of France, Gerard Collomb; of Greece, Dimitris Vitsas; and of Portugal, Eduardo Cabrita. He also met with the Director of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, Michael O'Flaherty.

Non official translation