By Ibtihal Oulad-Goumi
After a 2-year stoppage, due to the epidemiological situation, the operation Welcome resumed its activity on June 05, 2022, to welcome Moroccans residing abroad (MRE). Again this year, the Mohammed VI Foundation for Solidarity was at the heart of the organization of reception and follow-up of MREs in a context of diplomatic reconciliation between Morocco and Spain.
Founded in 2001, the Mohamed V Foundation for Solidarity is present in the educational, health, humanitarian, economic sectors… However, it is best known for its interventions for Operation Marhaba, which is one of the missions for which it excels. . This year again, the Foundation is at the heart of the reception and follow-up operation for MREs.
With several reception points in France, Italy and Spain, the foundation aims to provide smooth support for Moroccans residing abroad. On the national territory, it has more than 17 docking stations in the ports of Tanger Med, Tanger-ville and Al Hoceima, Nador.
In the same strategy of aid to MRE, the logistical organization set up by the Foundation, agreed at the level of Bab sebta and Bab Melilia, as well as the airports of Casablanca, Oujda, Agadir, Fez, Marrakech and Tangier . In addition, the Mediterranean rest areas of Jebha and Tazaghine have been mobilized for this edition, as well as two new sites open exclusively at Rabat-Salé airport and another at M’Diq taking the format of a rest.
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According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, the operation seeks to guarantee the ease of movement in complete safety while ensuring the availability of the necessary infrastructure, administrative and consular support.
According to figures from the Spanish Press Agency (EFE), until July 22, 2022, the operation received more than 700,000 people, coming from Spanish ports, with great social and medical mobilization, to allow the MRE to return to their country comfortably.
This year’s edition is characterized by exceptional bilateral cooperation between Morocco and Spain, after the resolution of the diplomatic crisis.
The dispute between Rabat and Madrid has been resolved, thanks to the Sovereign’s clear vision. Thus, on Thursday April 7, 2022, the head of the Spanish government, Pedro Sanchez, went to the royal palace in Salé, at the invitation of King Mohammed VI, where he took a big step towards reconciliation between the two countries.
The visit of Pedro Sanchez is an important decision of Spain on the question of the Sahara, which gives rise to a historic event thus showing the resistant friendship linking the two countries.
This new stage is then the fruit of a constructive diplomatic spirit of King Mohammed VI, who often insists in his speech on clarity and good neighbourliness.