According to the security source, the police seized a shipment of psychotropic tablets that was carefully concealed in the spare wheel of the vehicle, and arrested the 42-year-old driver.

The suspect, a Moroccan national, has been placed under the judicial investigation carried out by Nador's judicial police, under the supervision of the competent public prosecutor's office, in order to determine further ramifications of this criminal activity.

"The Spain-Morocco permanent group on migration [...] is an institutional framework that [...] has formed the permanent basis of an exceptional partnership on migration between the two countries," Castro Fernández told MAP.

This statement is "supported by concrete actions that make it [the Morocco-Spain partnership] today a model of North-South cooperation," she further noted on the sidelines of the 21st meeting of the Group, which took place on Friday in Madrid.

In this regard, the Spanish official voiced her wish to see this "successful" experience "extended to other countries," noting that Rabat and Madrid "are committed to continuing this experience with a global approach that reconciles multiple dimensions and contributes to jointly addressing and managing migratory flows from a human and security perspective."

Castro Fernández, who welcomed the "success" of this group, maintained that both parties are determined to "increase circular migration projects, strengthen cooperation in surveillance, and expand integration policies and the fight against racism and xenophobia."

The newspaper notes that Morocco's ambition is to become the most important technological center in Africa and a gateway to the continent, adding that the creation of GITEX Africa responds to the Kingdom's desire to achieve this ambition.

"Through this event, Morocco aims to bring together technology giants, start-ups, investors, governments and academics to create joint initiatives," the newspaper continues, adding that the Kingdom also attaches great importance to the fact that its initiatives must take place on its soil.

"Human capital is one of the country's most powerful resources, with around 12,000 engineers and between 10,000 and 12,000 technicians graduating every year, which represents a significant human resource," he stressed.

"If these resources are invested and properly targeted, significant achievements can be made for Morocco in the digital field, and the Kingdom will become a hub in North Africa and Africa in general, which will contribute to the development of its economy," the Israeli daily said.

The Moroccan officials' statement came in response to European Parliament (EP) President Roberta Metsola's letter noting "a common will to ensure in all circumstances the continuation of dialogue between our respective legislative institutions, in the interest, well understood, of the strategic partnership between Morocco and the EU."

"This unique partnership commits us to act with respect and determination in favor of the development of relations between the political formations that make up our nations, through the institutions that emanate from them - the Moroccan Parliament and the European Parliament," they pointed out in this missive.

Pointing out that both Morocco and the EU countries have developed a positive agenda and pioneering joint actions, both bilaterally and in concertation in multilateral forums, Talbi El Alami and Mayara specified that the partnership between the Kingdom and the EU is enriched by these achievements. "It is our responsibility to do everything in our power to preserve them."

After having recalled that the resolution of January 19 and subsequent developments have had a profound impact on the image of the European Parliament among all the living forces of the Moroccan Nation, they stressed that they had been surprised, "while we thought we saw in your letter a potential for dialogue", by the unfair positions adopted in the draft of the report on "foreign interference in all democratic processes of the European Union; including disinformation", established on May 15, 2023 by the Special Committee on "Interference and Disinformation and on Strengthening Integrity" (ING2) in the European Parliament.

"As you know, this draft will be put to a vote at the next plenary session of the European Parliament. Judging by its inquisitorial content and hostile recommendations, this draft, if adopted, will damage any positive prospects between our two institutions," warned the presidents of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors.

In view of this, "we call upon the sense of responsibility expressed in your letter, and invite you to give effect to your decision to appoint the European component of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, so that this committee - through its Moroccan and European co-chairs - can meet immediately and quickly agree on a favorable outcome."

Talbi El Alami and Mayara pointed out that "if our partnership is intended to overcome difficult issues, it must be noted that what we find all too often in the remarks and documents issued by the European Parliament with regard to Morocco goes beyond the scope of constructive criticism, and is openly part of an unfair and unfounded offensive."

According to the two officials, "the necessary exchanges that drive dialogue between our political communities must be accompanied by a relationship worthy of the citizens they serve."

"It is in the hope of conferring an ever stronger dynamic to the relationship that unites our institutions that today it is imperative to engage in a frank debate on all issues of mutual interest," maintained the speakers of the two Chambers of the Moroccan Parliament, affirming that it is decidedly necessary that relations concerning a partner country reflect reality and that they can be anchored on the healthy foundations offered by a truly balanced dialogue.

To this end, "we are ready to discuss with you the ways forward and to receive the most positive indications regarding the development of our cooperation."

Voronkov made the statement to the press after talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, on the sidelines of their participation in the second edition of the High-Level Meeting of Heads of Counter-terrorism and Security Agencies in Africa "Marrakech Platform", held in Tangier under the co-chairmanship of Morocco and the United Nations Office of Counter-terrorism.

In this statement, Voronkov welcomed the "strategic cooperation" between Morocco and the UN Office against Terrorism, noting that this meeting of the "Marrakech Platform" is an opportunity to "discuss practical ways of supporting African member states in a more effective fight against terrorism".

After describing his talks with Bourita as "very fruitful" in terms of "how the two sides can move forward together in the fight against terrorism", Voronkov expressed his hope for better international coordination in the fight against terrorism.

« The increasingly complex nature of the terrorist threat requires multilateral cooperation and multiagency approaches to create a stronger and more cohesive regional response. The Marrakech Platform is an important contribution to that end, » said Voronkov at the opening of the 2nd edition of the High-Level Meeting of Heads of Counter-Terrorism and Security Agencies in Africa "Marrakech Platform", co-chaired by Morocco and the United Nations Office of (UNOCT).

On this occasion, Voronkov expressed his sincere gratitude to the Kingdom of Morocco for its "immense support" to the United Nations Office of Counter-terrorism, and for hosting the second annual meeting of the Marrakech Platform this year in Tangier.

The UN official recalled in this context the opening, in June last year, by the UNOCT of its Program Office in Rabat and its training center for counter-terrorism in Africa, with the "strong political support and generous financial contribution by the government of Morocco".

« I am very proud to say that since its opening, the Rabat Office has already conducted important capacity-building activities together with our partners from Morocco, » he stressed, citing in particular the launch last year of a specialized training program on counter-terrorism investigations.

UNOCT staff members from the Counter-Terrorism Investigations Programme, Kidnap for Ransom Project, and the Global Fusion Cells Programme now also operate out of Rabat, « ensuring their close proximity to African Member States, and facilitating more tailored and effective delivery, » he underlined.

Voronkov took the opportunity to "thank again the Kingdom of Morocco, and our observers, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Qatar, Brazil, and the European Union » for their support, which « allows us to grow and effectively deliver our programmes throughout the continent ».

He also welcomed the "strategic cooperation" between Morocco and the United Nations Office of Counter-terrorism, noting that this meeting of the "Marrakech Platform" is an opportunity to discuss practical ways of supporting African member states in a more effective fight against terrorism.

« I am happy to see the Marrakesh Platform evolving with a growing level of participation and welcome the opportunity to once again have an open discussion with national stakeholders about the strategies and approaches to reinforce regional cooperation on counter-terrorism issues » he said.

Voronkov noted that the two-day event will be an opportunity to address common challenges in inter-agency cooperation, share best practices in strategic decision-making and strengthen national approaches to counter-terrorism.

He added in this respect that Africa remains a priority for UNOCT, announcing in this context the organization, in early 2024 in Abuja, in collaboration with the Nigerian government, of an African summit on the fight against terrorism under the theme "Strengthening regional cooperation and institution building to address the evolving threat of terrorism in Africa".

In its weekly bulletin on the epidemiological situation covering the period from May 27 to June 02, the Ministry reports that the number of people vaccinated for the first time reached 24,922,783, those who received two doses 23,424,598, while 6,885,074 people received three injections of the vaccine and 60,856 received the booster dose.

The new weekly tally of infections brings the total number of contaminations since the first case was reported in Morocco on March 2, 2020 to 1,274,901, with a weekly positivity rate of 9.4%.

New infections were reported in the regions of Rabat-Salé-Kenitra (66), Grand Casablanca-Settat (40), Souss-Massa (20), Fez-Meknes (12), Marrakech-Safi (07), Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra (06), Guelmim-Oued Noun (05), Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima (04), Oriental (03), Dakhla-Oued Eddahab (03) and Beni Mellal-Khenifra (02).

The total number of deaths remains at 16,297 (overall case-fatality 1.3%), with zero cases recorded in the last week.

Active cases numbered 213, with zero severe or critical cases in the last week, for a total of one case.

The Upper House said in a press release that this participation is an opportunity for Mayara to meet with government officials and parliamentarians representing the Republics of Italy and San Marino in the framework of his presidency of the PAM, with a view to strengthening cooperation, coordination and convergence of views on issues of common interest.

Mayara was unanimously elected as the new president of this international parliamentary organization for the period 2023-2024 at the end of its 17th plenary session, held recently at the Moroccan parliament.

The PAM is an international organization created in 2005 by the national parliaments of the countries of the Euro-Mediterranean region. It is the legal successor to the Conference on Security and Cooperation in the Mediterranean (CSCM), launched in the early 1990s.

During this operation, a commercial vehicle, whose driver refused to comply, was intercepted while driving in the direction of Khouribga, explains the same source, adding that the car in question was subsequently immobilized on a secondary road towards the commune of Rommani. A search of the vehicle led to the seizure of 26 bales containing a total of 830 kg of chira.

Preliminary investigations at the scene led to the arrest of a single individual suspected of involvement in this drug trafficking operation, in possession of a sum of money which could be the proceeds of this type of criminal activity.

The person arrested was placed in police custody for investigation under the supervision of the competent public prosecutor's office, with a view to shedding light on the scope of this criminal operation and identifying the suspect's accomplices.

Before the departure of this first contingent, the Message addressed by HM King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, to Moroccan pilgrims was read out by the Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Toufiq.

In this message, HM the King called on Moroccan pilgrims to be worthy ambassadors of their homeland, and standard-bearers of its age-old civilization and identity, exemplified by attachment to the values of openness and tolerance, and to refrain from all polemics and grounds for discord.

The Sovereign also urged Moroccan pilgrims to be worthy representatives of their religion at this sublime rendezvous, by displaying an attitude and conduct "which epitomize Islamic fraternity, moderation in matters relating to faith as well as conduct, and rejection of all manifestations of radicalism, extremism or any cause of discord or strife."

HM the King, Commander of the Faithful, also urged pilgrims to show piety, "since there is no better provision for this journey than devoutness."

The Sovereign also asked Moroccan pilgrims to show exemplary morality during this grandiose gathering, where Muslims are obliged to bear in mind two fundamental and complementary truths: their proclamation of faith in the Oneness of God the Most High, and their desire to illustrate their unity and unanimous adherence to God's unshakeable Law."

The Sovereign emphasized that in Islam, pilgrimage symbolizes the equality of the faithful who, on the occasion of the Hajj, find themselves gathered in a single place: the Sacred Kaaba, Mina and Arafat, wearing the same emblematic cloth of Ihram (the solemn entry into the sacred universe of the Hajj) and blending in with one another without any distinction of title or status.

HM the King also reminded pilgrims that their stay in the Holy Places requires the utmost discipline and the most sincere observance of the obligations and canonical rules of pilgrimage.

In a statement to the press on this occasion, Toufiq indicated that 81 flights were scheduled as part of this year's pilgrimage, noting that the last outbound flight would take place on June 22, while return flights would start on July 3 and end on July 23.

The Minister specified that 49 of these flights, or more than half, will go directly to Medina, thus sparing pilgrims the constraints associated with car transport.

Toufiq also announced that 10,500 pilgrims will benefit this year from the new "Route to Mecca" approach launched last year by the Saudi authorities, departing from Casablanca's Mohammed V airport.

This year, the number of pilgrims is 35,000, of whom 22,800 are being supervised by the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, while travel agencies are supervising 12,200 pilgrims, noted the Minister, pointing out that 51% of pilgrims are women and 15% are over 80 years of age.

In addition to ulemas and doctors, these pilgrims are supervised by 725 administrative staff, including 460 attendants, he added.