The number of migrants arriving in Spain on boats drops by 42.2%

Official figures revealed by the Spanish Interior Ministry refer to a sharp decline in the number of migrants arriving in Spain on boats during the first semester of 2019. Data published by the department suggest that the number of these boats dropped by 42.2% during the period between January and July, 2019 compared to last year, reports La Razon.

16,600 irregular migrants arrive din Spain during this period, compared to last year, during which 26,260 did. «Migrants arriving on boats increased thanks to the agreement with Morocco», Paloma Favieres from the Spanish Commission for Refugees said.

La Razon recalls that the Spanish authorities have helped grant Morocco the €140 million to monitor its borders.

For her part, the Vice-President of the Government Carmen Calvo, attributed «these good results to cooperation with Morocco», said Cope radio.

A year ago, media and parties in Spain pointed to Morocco's responsibility for increasing the number of migrant arrivals.