Morocco Replaces Turkey as New Co-chair of GCTF | MAP

Morocco, already a global leader in the fight against violent extremism, is taking over the co-presidency of the Global Counter Terrorism Forum (GCTF):

The transfer of the co-presidency of the Global Counter Terrorism Forum (GCTF) from Turkey to Morocco took place here on Wednesday on the occasion of the 9th meeting of the GCTF’s coordination committee.

Morocco and Netherlands will co-chair the GCTF replacing Turkey and the US.

Speaking on this occasion, Minister Delegate to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Nasser Bourita said that the Moroccan-Dutch co-presidency is the culmination of a fruitful collaboration through the Working Group on foreign terrorist fighters.

”Assuming this responsibility shows the clear, determined and constructive involvement of Morocco in the fight against terrorism,” he added, noting that the Kingdom is set to strengthen the values of openness, dialogue, cooperation and sharing of experiences and good practices.

Bourita highlighted efforts made by Morocco at the working group on foreign terrorist fighters and within the joint initiative with the US on border security.

The Dutch foreign minister, Bert Koenders, said that the recent terror attacks, including the ones targeting Ankara, Istanbul, Lahore and Brussels, require the strengthening of counter-terrorism efforts.

Koenders stressed, in this context, the importance of strengthening the exchange of information in the prospect of establishing a long-term approach including prevention of radicalization.

The GCTF is an international partnership which is committed to improving worldwide cooperation on counterterrorism. The Forum is chiefly concerned with issues like de-radicalisation and strengthening the rule of law and the justice system in the fight against terrorism…[ORIGINAL STORY, SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED]