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Rabat – Spain’s Interior Minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska commended the smooth progress of Operation Marhaba 2025, praising the “perfect coordination” with Morocco. This cooperation has ensured the success of this year’s record-breaking operation to welcome Moroccan expatriates.
“None of this would be possible without the close collaboration and perfect coordination with our neighbor and partner, Morocco, with whom we maintain constant contact during preparations and throughout the operation,” Grande-Marlaska said during a visit to the southern coastal city of Tarifa to oversee the process.
According to Spain’s Interior Ministry, this year’s operation is already setting records. In its first month, passenger traffic through Spanish ports rose 5.6%, and vehicles crossing the Strait of Gibraltar increased by 6.9% compared to 2024 figures, continuing a strong upward trend in recent years.
Grande-Marlaska stressed the importance of the preparation and joint efforts with Morocco, calling the 2025 edition “a new historic milestone” for cross-Mediterranean travel.
During his visit, the minister also held meetings with Moroccan officials, including Driss Soussi, Morocco’s consul general in Algeciras, and representatives of the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity, which plays a critical role in supporting Moroccan nationals during the summer migration period.
Operation Marhaba, now in its 25th edition, is an annual initiative led by the Mohammed V Foundation to welcome the Moroccan diaspora traveling home for the summer. Launched this year on June 10, the operation features a larger and more comprehensive network than ever, with 26 reception sites in Morocco, Spain, France, and Italy.
For the first time, two new welcome centers were opened at Laayoune and Dakhla airports, bringing the total number of Moroccan-based sites to 20, strategically located in key ports and airports to assist travelers.
The 2025 operation is expected to handle an exceptional flow of around 3.5 million travelers, primarily Moroccans living in Europe, representing a 4% increase compared to last year.
On the instructions of King Mohammed VI, the foundation has activated its full support system across both sides of the Mediterranean, ensuring assistance and care for Moroccans returning home during the busy summer months.
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