EU agrees to improve migration co-operation with Morocco after Melilla tragedy

African migrants stand on top of a fence as they attempt to cross the border from Morocco into Spain's northern African enclave, Melilla. 21 November, 2015.

Morocco, Spain, and the European Union agreed to work closer together in fighting human trafficking after at most 23 migrants were killed during a mass crossing attempt from Morocco into Melilla, a neighbouring Spanish enclave.

This announcement was made after Fernando Grande-Marlaska (Spanish Interior Minister), Ylva Johansson, European Union Commissioner For Home Affairs Ylva Johansson, and Abdelouafi Laftit, Moroccan Interior Minister, met in Rabat to discuss "new strategies" that migrants use to reach European soil.

"Morocco has been a strategic partner and a committed partner to the EU in managing migration in an orderly manner." We are ready to strengthen our cooperation (...) working together effectively and efficiently in readmissions, returns and investing in legal paths together," Johansson stated in a Spanish-language video.

Around 100 migrants crossed Europe's only land frontier with Africa, but many more were injured or killed as they were stacked up by a Moroccan border wall.

Moroccan authorities claimed that the migrants were killed in a stampede, while others fell as they climbed.

Local human rights organizations claimed that people were left injured for hours without receiving medical attention, leading to an increase in the death toll. The United Nations and other human right NGOs demanded an independent investigation into the clashes. However, Morocco's and Spain’s prosecutions opened their own investigations.

Pedro Sanchez, the Spanish Prime Minister, accused the smuggling mafias and thanked the Moroccan security force for their assistance in policing border.

Spain and the EU representatives expressed their gratitude to Morocco on Friday, but also described the events as "painful", and expressed regret for the deaths.

Johansson stated, "It is crucial that we address these dangerous circumstances and these well-organized Smuggling Groups together to save lives. Also, to manage migration in a orderly manner."

According to the statement, the agreement will support border management, strengthen police co-operation, including joint investigations, and strengthen co-operation with EU agencies.

Spain claims that its co-operation with African countries has resulted in the halting of 40% of irregular migration movements.