In a significant step towards bolstering cooperation, Morocco's Abellatif Hammouchi, the Director General of National Security (DGSN) and Territorial Surveillance (DGST), welcomed Vice Admiral Edward Ahlgren, the Senior British Military Advisor for the Middle East and North Africa, on Wednesday. The meeting took place at the DGST headquarters in Rabat as part of Ahlgren's working visit to Morocco.
The gathering included notable attendees such as British Ambassador Simon Martin, the counterterrorism liaison officer at the British Embassy in Rabat, military and security attachés, and senior officials from various departments of the DGSN and DGST.
According to a statement released by the DGSN-DGST, the discussions provided a platform to review pressing security challenges and threats both regionally and internationally. Key topics included the risks posed by illegal migration networks and their connections to transnational organized crime.
Additionally, the talks emphasized the importance of bilateral cooperation on major security events. The two officials explored possible forms of coordination to ensure the successful organization of upcoming global sporting and security events.
This includes Morocco’s hosting of the 93rd General Assembly of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) in Marrakech in 2025, the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), and the 2030 FIFA World Cup, as well as UEFA EURO 2028, which will be held in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
Hammouchi also engaged with Admiral Ahlgren on enhancing cooperation in scientific and technical fields related to security, particularly concerning explosives. Both parties expressed a strong commitment to revitalizing this cooperation to strengthen the security and strategic partnership between Morocco and the United Kingdom.
The British official praised the crucial role of Moroccan security services in enhancing regional and international security, highlighting their effective participation in global efforts to combat various security threats.
In a reaffirmation of commitment, Hammouchi emphasized the DGSN-DGST’s dedication to solidifying its security partnership with British authorities and expanding the scope of bilateral security cooperation for the benefit of both nations.
