Rabat – The King of Netherlands Willem-Alexander has spoken warmly of Morocco’s pivotal role in maintaining stability within the Mediterranean region, drawing particular attention to the country’s efforts to face the region’s socio-political challenges.
King Willem-Alexander made the laudatory comments upon hosting Abdelouahab Bellouki, Morocco’s outgoing Ambassador to the Netherlands. In a farewell ceremony marking the end of Bellouki’s diplomatic mission in his country, the Dutch king recalled and reiterated his commitment to the cordial ties between Morocco and the Netherlands.
King Willem-Alexander conveyed his cordial greetings to King Mohammed VI and the entire Moroccan royal family, hailing the quality of bilateral relations and stressing the need to further enhance agreements opportunities between the two countries.
The Dutch monarch also highlighted the role of the Moroccan community in the Netherlands as a linking bridge between Morocco and the Netherlands.
He also emphasized Morocco’s leading role in effectively responding to COVID-19 challenges, and awarded Abdelouahab Bellouki the Grand Cross of the Order of Orange-Nassau, rank of Knight.
Morocco-Netherlands relations date back to over four centuries. The Treaty of Friendship and Free Commerce signed between the two countries in 1610 was the first treaty Morocco concluded with a European state.
The Netherlands is home to the fourth largest Moroccan community abroad, with over 363,000 Moroccans officially established in the European country. In 2019, the country counted around 400.000 Dutch with Moroccan origins, according to the Nederlands Instituut Marokko.
In december 2021, Dutch Foreign Minister Ben Knapen wrote a letter to Morocco’s House of Representatives to inform them of options for an extradition treaty to enable the Netherlands to expel failed asylum seekers back to Morocco.
Dutch media reported that the extradition treaty is “part of a broader [cooperation] plan between the Netherlands and Morocco.”
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