Morocco Gets $275 Million Aid From EU as Illegal Migration Rises

(Bloomberg) -- The European Union agreed to provide Morocco with $275 million in aid to help with basic services and support job creation to stem a rising flow of illegal migrants from the north African kingdom.

Agreements covering the funding were signed by visiting EU’s Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn and Morocco’s Finance Minister Mohamed Benchaaboun, state-run MAP reported.

Morocco has in recent weeks repeatedly asked the EU, both its main trade partner and top aid provider, for additional help to stop illegal migration. Government spokesman Mustapha Khalfi on Thursday told reporters that Morocco thwarted 65,000 attempts by illegal migrants to enter Europe in 2017.

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