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Rabat – Morocco’s Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit held a meeting today in Rabat with State Secretary for Justice and Security of the Netherlands Eric Van der Burg to consolidate their migration cooperation.
The two countries discussed different mechanisms to improve cooperation, including the exchange of expertise, information, and joint efforts to combat the threats and challenges posed by criminal activities of cross-border trafficking networks.
In addition, they expressed their determination to tackle human trafficking and migrant smuggling, the Moroccan interior ministry said in a statement.
Additionally, The two ministers emphasized the positive role of the Moroccan community in the Netherlands, which serves as a bridge of human and civilizational exchange between the two countries.
During the meeting, Laftit emphasized Morocco’s extensive efforts in border control and the fight against cross-border crime, which has made Morocco a major player in regional security.
The Moroccan minister also noted the triangular partnership between Morocco, the Netherlands, and Africa, which he described as a strategic approach that benefits partner countries in the South by providing capacity building, and technical assistance.
Van der Burg described the meeting as an “important step in the two countries’ strong relationship.”
“Over the past… a lot has already been invested on both sides in our cooperation, including on migration. It is very good to talk about this personally, in an open atmosphere today,” Van der Burg said in a written statement as quoted by Dutch media NU.ul.
Dutch news reported that the Netherlands benefits from its cooperation with Morocco in the field of migration, particularly given that it used to be very difficult to send back migrants who were not permitted to stay in the Netherlands.
There have already been 125 rejected asylum seekers sent back to Morocco, the same source detailed.
In May 2022, Morocco and the Netherlands signed a letter of intent reflecting their shared commitment to strengthen security cooperation.
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