Moroccan and French police chiefs sign joint action plan

RABAT - The Director General of Morocco’s National Security (DGSN) and Territorial Surveillance (DGST) , Abdellatif Hammouchi, and his French counterpart, Louis Le Gui, Director General of the French National Police, signed on Tuesday in Rabat a joint action plan between Morocco’s National Security services and the French National Police Directorate.

A statement from the DGSN-DGST explained that this plan "establishes a shared roadmap for combating transnational organized crime affecting both brotherly countries."

The statement noted that this meeting took place during the visit of the Director General of the French National Police to Morocco, aimed at strengthening security cooperation and enhancing mutual assistance mechanisms in various areas of bilateral police collaboration.

The same source added that "the significance of this joint plan lies in its institutionalization of the exceptional cooperation mechanisms that have existed for decades between Moroccan and French security services. 

The plan also pushes toward expanding this cooperation to include the potential creation of joint task forces to address various challenges related to organized crime, including tracking fugitives and internationally wanted persons.

This joint plan also opens promising prospects for security cooperation and mutual assistance between the police services of Morocco and France, aligning with the distinguished relations between the two friendly nations, and establishes a framework for a sustainable strategic partnership in training, information exchange, technical assistance, and operational cooperation.

Le Gui expressed deep gratitude for the role played by Morocco’s National Security and Territorial Surveillance services in supporting French security efforts - particularly in counterterrorism, pursuing and arresting individuals wanted by French authorities in organized crime cases, and securing the Paris Olympics. 

He also affirmed France’s willingness to provide all possible support to assist Moroccan police in security and safety protocols for future international sporting events hosted by Morocco.

Alongside the working sessions between the two parties, the French Ambassador to Rabat, Christophe Lecourtier, presented the insignia and certificate of the Legion of Honour (Officer rank) to Hammouchi, awarded by French authorities in accordance with the formal procedures for bestowing high honours from the French Republic.

The French side emphasized that conferring this prestigious decoration upon Hammouchi is a recognition of the leading role played by Morocco’s National Security services in international efforts to combat terrorism and organized crime. It also testifies to the effectiveness of bilateral security cooperation in advancing shared security interests.

Hammouchi and Le Gui held extensive talks with his French counterpart, evaluating the level of bilateral security cooperation, reviewing issues of mutual interest, and exploring new mechanisms to enhance mutual assistance in countering security threats.

The statement concluded that Le Gui’s visit reflects the strength of cooperation between Moroccan National Security and the French National Police, as well as both sides’ commitment to reinforcing mutual assistance and operational collaboration to ensure the highest level of readiness against shared security threats.