Rabat – Morocco and the Netherlands are working to find options for an extradition treaty, Dutch media reported on December 15.
According to the NRC, Dutch Foreign Minister Ben Knapen wrote a letter to Morocco’s House of Representatives to inform them of the new development.
The extradition treaty aims to enable the Netherlands to expel failed asylum seekers back to Morocco.
The discussion exploring the option for the treaty is “part of a border plan between the Netherlands and Morocco,” NRC reported.
Knapen also emphasized the determination of both countries to cooperate more on security and justice.
The Dutch FM informed MPs that the two countries have agreed to improve cooperation on the “return” of migrants and in the field of migration.
The Netherlands has been eager to seal an agreement with Morocco to enable the European country to send back Moroccan irregular migrants.
In 2019, the Dutch government expressed dissatisfaction with a perceived lack of -cooperation with Morocco in this field.
Dutch State Secretary of Justice Ankie Broekers-Knol said she failed to talk to Morocco’s government regarding Moroccan asylum seekers in 2019.
She said the Moroccan government refused to talk to her about failed asylum seekers whose requests were not approved by the government.
Since then several MPs criticized Morocco for “refusing dialogue” on the topic.
MP Jasper van Dijk also criticized Morocco in 2019, saying Morocco is not “taking the problem seriously.”
The international community frequently emphasizes Morocco’s efforts in irregular migration management.
One of the latest recognition came just a week from Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto.
“We consider Morocco a pivotal country in the fight against irregular migration, and we appreciate its role in this field,” he said during a press conference following his meeting with Moroccan foreign minister Nasser Bourita on Monday last week.
