The President of the Government of Spain highlights the cooperation between Spain and The Gambia in the fight against illegal immigration

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, travelled to The Gambia today, as part of his tour of Africa, accompanied by the Minister for Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz. The trip is aimed at further strengthening bilateral relationships in sectors of mutual interest, as well as reinforcing cooperation on migration issues and the fight against organised crime. This is the first time that a President of the Government of Spain has visited The Gambia since the start of bilateral relationships being developed between the two countries.

During his day in The Gambia, the President of the Government of Spain held a bilateral meeting with the President of the Republic of The Gambia, Adama Barrow, to whom he conveyed that Gambia is an example of stability in West Africa and an important partner for Spain at the international level.

Both leaders reviewed the main aspects of the bilateral relationship between Spain and The Gambia, with emphasis on cooperation in migration matters. In this regard, the President of the Government of Spain thanked the President of the Republic of The Gambia for the country's excellent cooperation in the fight against illegal immigration and human trafficking.

He also held a meeting with the Vice-President of the Republic of The Gambia, Muhammad B.S. Jallow, with whom he discussed the fact that Spain has a community of 25,000 Gambians, who are fully integrated and prospering in Spanish society.

The Joint Declaration adopted between Spain and The Gambia highlights the willingness of Spain and The Gambia to energise bilateral relationships between the two countries, to deepen bilateral cooperation on migration, to strengthen cooperation in the field of security and the fight against crime and to enhance economic and trade relations, as well as to highlight the work of Spanish NGOs active in The Gambia.

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, and the President of the Republic of The Gambia, Adama Barrow, during the meeting with the delegations of Spain and The Gambia | Pool Moncloa / Fernando Calvo

The Joint Declaration addresses three main areas: multilateralism and the relationship between Africa and the European Union; bilateral relationships between The Gambia and Spain; and the management of migratory flows with the aim of achieving safe, orderly and legal migration.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has also been signed to develop the circular migration model through which it is proposed that a pilot project be implemented for selecting Gambian workers in their country of origin. This is a formula that Spain has already successfully developed in different countries, and which constitutes a good tool for managing the flow of migrants in an orderly and legal manner. The two countries have also signed an international agreement on cooperation in the field of security and the fight against crime.

Meeting with Guardia Civil and National Police personnel stationed in Banjul

The President of the Government of Spain travelled to the port of Banjul, where he held an informal meeting with members of the Guardia Civil and the National Police stationed in The Gambia.

Pedro Sánchez stressed that Spain and The Gambia have become key partners in the field of security, especially for border surveillance and the fight against illegal immigration. He emphasised that the two countries have a common goal: "saving lives at sea and stopping the mafias that exploit people who have a legitimate desire to prosper".

In this context, the President of the Government of Spain expressed his gratitude for the work carried out by the State law enforcement forces and agencies deployed in The Gambia. This is work involving cooperation and collaboration on migratory matters, which is essential for avoiding the loss of human lives and promoting engagement with the countries of origin, trafficking and destination. "It is only fair to say that you are indispensable", Pedro Sánchez reiterated.

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, visits the contingent of the Guardia Civil and the National Police stationed in the port of Banjul | Pool Moncloa / Fernando Calvo

The Guardia Civil has seven personnel stationed in The Gambia, who carry out border surveillance technical assistance. The main purpose of this is to provide effective technical support to the Gambian Navy and the Gambian Immigration Department; an operation that is part of a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2008.

The National Police leads the EU's 'Joint Operational Partnership with The Gambia' project and has two personnel deployed in The Gambia. This EU-funded programme, in cooperation with the German Federal Police, aims to optimise prevention of and fight against the facilitation of illegal migration and human trafficking in The Gambia.

Non official translation