Morocco and the Netherlands are bolstering their partnership across several strategic areas, including migration, security, and trade. Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and his Dutch counterpart, Tom Berendsen, met on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation. The meeting provided an opportunity for the two ministers to review bilateral relations and explore ways to further strengthen ties between the two countries.
During the meeting, Bourita and Berendsen discussed regional and international issues of common interest and examined ways to coordinate positions within international organizations. Berendsen described Morocco as "a valuable partner" in a social media post following the meeting, highlighting their cooperation on migration, security, and trade. The Dutch minister's comments underscore the growing importance of Morocco-Netherlands relations, with both countries seeking to expand their bilateral partnership across several sectors.
Morocco and the Netherlands have worked in recent years to broaden cooperation in areas including security, justice, migration, trade, and maritime affairs. In April, Berendsen and Bourita reaffirmed their intention to deepen bilateral relations and move toward a strategic partnership. The two countries agreed to work on a Morocco-Netherlands Multi-Sectoral Action Plan covering political dialogue, security, justice, migration, consular matters, and cultural, scientific, and human cooperation.
The April talks followed a joint declaration signed in The Hague in December 2025, in which both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in economic, agricultural, security, migration, cultural, and scientific fields. The declaration also called for a bilateral security dialogue and a specialized committee on counterterrorism. This growing cooperation reflects the shared interests and values of Morocco and the Netherlands, with both countries committed to addressing common challenges.
Justice and security cooperation have also expanded between Morocco and the Netherlands. In April, the two countries discussed judicial cooperation, the modernization of Morocco's justice system, the exchange of expertise, and the digitalization of legal services. They also addressed cooperation against organized crime, terrorism, and other cross-border security challenges. This cooperation is critical in the face of evolving security threats.
Migration remains another key area of bilateral cooperation between Morocco and the Netherlands. The two countries launched the Government-to-Government Migration and Mobility Partnership in 2022 and have continued discussions on migration management, including the identification of individuals and the issuance of travel documents. Effective migration management is essential for both countries, with Morocco a key transit point for migrants.
The strengthened partnership between Morocco and the Netherlands has significant implications for regional stability and cooperation. The two countries' commitment to deepening their bilateral relations and addressing common challenges reflects a growing recognition of their shared interests and values. As they move forward, Morocco and the Netherlands are likely to continue exploring new areas of cooperation, building on their existing partnership.
Key points
- Morocco and Netherlands discuss migration, security, and trade in New York to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
- The two countries agree to work on a Morocco-Netherlands Multi-Sectoral Action Plan to deepen bilateral relations.
- Morocco and Netherlands cooperate on migration management, including the identification of individuals and issuance of travel documents.
