Madrid: Morocco and Spain signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on judicial cooperation in the lead-up to the 2030 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday in Madrid. The agreement was signed by Moroccan Minister of Justice Abdellatif Ouahbi and his Spanish counterpart, Félix Bolaños.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the declaration is part of the strengthening of the historic bilateral cooperation between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Kingdom of Spain. It focuses on strengthening judicial cooperation to tackle organized crime challenges, through increased dialogue and enhanced existing cooperation.

The agreement also covers modernizing the judicial system, digitizing justice, improving access, promoting alternative dispute resolution, and managing cross-border cases. Given the importance of effective judicial collaboration in supporting the joint organization of the 2030 World Cup, this declaration seeks to reinforce joint commissions by regularly convening those established under civil and criminal mutual legal
assistance agreements. These efforts are in line with the discussions initiated during the April 2024 meetings in Madrid.

In this regard, and considering the trilateral nature of this sporting event, the ministers reaffirmed their commitment to deepening their cooperation through specific agreements. This will particularly be achieved via the Morocco-Spain-Portugal Joint Justice Commission, which will provide a structured working framework until the conclusion of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.