West African ECOWAS leaders met with Spanish PM on 22 June. Spain pledged 262 million euros for projects in ECOWAS nations. Increasing ties with west African countries is a priority for Spain due in part to efforts to reduce illegal migration from the area.
“Stepped-up surveillance and cooperation with African nations has meant the number of migrants reaching the Canaries dropped to 9,181 last year from to 12,478 in 2007 and 31,678 in 2006, Spain said in January.”
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Click here for brief Spanish Foreign Ministry media release.