Germany, Morocco reach agreement to address irregular migration

BERLIN

Germany and Morocco reached an agreement to strengthen cooperation on migration, authorities said Wednesday.

Germany’s special envoy Joachim Stamp said during a visit to Morocco that the two countries will build a comprehensive migration partnership.

"We will work in trust and friendship on how we can reduce irregular migration and strengthen legal routes into the labor market for the benefit of both countries,” he said.

German authorities have said the deal will facilitate the return of economically motivated irregular migrants from Morocco, whose asylum applications were rejected.

The two countries will also set up working groups to discuss ways to promote legal migration and job opportunities for Moroccan citizens in the German labor market.