French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin’s visit to Morocco focuses on enhancing judicial cooperation in crime-fighting, addressing asset confiscation issues, and improving civil law matters. He commended Morocco’s intelligence efforts in counter-terrorism while seeking to strengthen bilateral relations amid ongoing discussions about expelling irregular migrants and cooperation in asset recovery.
French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin visited Morocco on a 24-hour mission aimed at enhancing judicial cooperation between France and Morocco. This marks his first official visit in his capacity as justice minister. During an interview with Moroccan television channel 2M, he praised the excellent level of collaboration, stating, “This cooperation is excellent.” He acknowledged the substantial intelligence contributions from Morocco in countering radicalization, which aid in preventing potential attacks.
Darmanin highlighted challenges in asset confiscation concerning drug trafficking, as he stated, “We’re talking about houses, apartments, cars, sometimes cryptocurrencies that need to be seized, which Moroccan services do very well. However, we still have a small difficulty between us regarding confiscation.” He emphasized the need for improvements since, although many assets are seized, relatively few are confiscated on both sides of the Mediterranean.
During his visit, the minister planned discussions with Moroccan Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi and El-Hassan Daki, the King’s Prosecutor General. He is also set to meet M’hammed Abdenabaoui, the First President of the Court of Cassation. Key agenda items include counter-terrorism and organized crime, with a focus on the French Agency for Managing and Recovering Seized and Confiscated Assets (Agrasc) to support Morocco’s efforts in this area.
Recent bilateral cooperation has yielded positive outcomes, including the dismantling of several Islamic State-linked cells in the Sahel and the extradition of major French drug traffickers. Darmanin’s visit follows his previous engagement in Morocco as Interior Minister, where he praised Morocco’s role in tracking down high-profile drug traffickers before the Paris Olympics.
Additionally, Darmanin’s visit aligns with ongoing discussions regarding the streamlined issuance of consular passes necessary for expelling undocumented migrants. Prior announcements by French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau included agreements to hasten the expulsion of individuals obliged to leave France. The minister’s visit underscores a growing diplomatic rapport, further strengthened by recent engagements of other French officials, and reflects France’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara region. Plans to improve civil law cooperation between Paris and Rabat were also discussed, addressing issues such as marriages and inheritances.
French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin’s visit to Morocco illustrates a concerted effort to enhance judicial cooperation, particularly in combating drug trafficking, terrorism, and improving civil law. Recognizing Morocco’s pivotal role in intelligence sharing reflects the strengthening of ties between the two nations. This visit signifies a continued commitment to collaboration that promises to bolster the effectiveness of their justice systems and ensure timely action against emerging security threats.
Original Source: www.moroccoworldnews.com
