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A week after the European Parliament approved new asylum measures, the European Union Delegation in Morocco has addressed its ongoing migration collaboration with the kingdom. During the annual press conference of the EU Delegation and the European Investment Bank (EIB) held this Tuesday in Rabat, Rocco Busco, head of the governance section, responded to Yabiladi's inquiry on the matter, stating that the two parties are working «together on migration in all its dimensions».
Last Tuesday, the European Parliament voted to allow member states to return asylum seekers to third countries deemed «safe», even if the applicants are not originally from there. Consequently, Morocco has been added to the list of potential destinations, along with Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, Kosovo, India, and Tunisia.
Historically, similar measures have faced legal challenges in Europe. In Italy, returns to Albania were blocked, and the United Kingdom had to abandon its cooperation project with Rwanda. Experts in international mobility in Morocco have previously told Yabiladi that this initiative is part of the EU's strategy to externalize its border management.
In light of the new vote and its implications for EU-Morocco migration cooperation, Rocco Busco noted that «the operation is already underway» to collaborate with the kingdom on «humane border management, migrant protection, return and reintegration, combating trafficking and human trafficking, as well as legal and circular mobility».
«In this area, as in all others, Morocco is regarded as a serious and credible partner, which is why it was included in the list of safe countries, where procedures and asylum applications will be processed more swiftly», Busco stated, adding that «the new decisions made in Brussels align perfectly with the work we are already doing».
An Unresolved Issue
The question of returning foreign nationals seeking asylum has been a longstanding unresolved issue between the EU and Morocco. To date, Morocco has primarily agreed to repatriate its own citizens but not those of other nationalities. Following the recent European Parliament vote, Morocco has yet to declare an official stance.
Currently, Rocco Busco asserts that «Morocco will continue to be a partner in immigration, where we collaborate with great efficiency and success». He added, «Legal immigration and mobility also form a component that allows us to meet employment needs, in a 'win-win' approach».
However, the official did not specifically address the situation of non-Moroccan nationals in light of the new measures. Instead, he highlighted a balance between «the high demand in many EU countries» for labor and «the supply from young women and men [in Europe, ed.] who wish to work in Morocco».
To this end, Rocco Busco emphasized that «while ensuring to avoid brain drain», both parties are working «to facilitate this legal migration, satisfying both the demand from Morocco and that of EU member states».
