The Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Residing Abroad, Nasser Bourita, praised, on Tuesday in Rabat, the new dynamic of relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Kingdom of the Netherlands over the past few years.
Speaking at a press briefing following his meeting with his Dutch counterpart, Tom Berendsen, Mr. Bourita emphasized that the progress in these relations is in line with the principle set out by His Majesty King Mohammed VI for the Kingdom’s foreign policy, namely clarity and ambition. This has led to the establishment of strong bilateral relations based on mutual respect, transparency, responsibility, and a genuine partnership that takes into consideration the priorities of each party.
The Minister also noted that the position expressed by the Netherlands last December regarding the Moroccan Sahara was a major turning point in the evolution of bilateral relations. He remarked that this constructive stance is in line with international law and UN resolutions, particularly Security Council resolution 2797.
The Netherlands’ position has also been an important catalyst for enhancing bilateral relations and strengthening the partnership between two influential regional actors on the international stage, Mr. Bourita continued.
Furthermore, he underscored that the decision of his Dutch counterpart to visit Morocco for his first official trip outside of Europe demonstrates the depth of bilateral relations and the shared willingness to prioritize the partnership between the two countries.
In this regard, he pointed out that the Netherlands, as a key player in the European space, is a staunch advocate for a solid Euro-Moroccan partnership and a respected actor at the United Nations and in multilateral forums. It has become a key partner for Morocco in terms of political dialogue.
“The coordination between the two countries on regional and international issues is essential,” added Mr. Bourita, emphasizing that this cooperation is based on fundamental partnership principles in consular, judicial, and security domains, including the fight against crime, extremism, and terrorism.
He also mentioned that Africa is a focal point in their bilateral relations, stating that both parties will work to encourage Moroccan and Dutch private sectors to promote investment and seize commercial opportunities in the African continent.
On another note, Mr. Bourita highlighted the Netherlands’ role as an essential economic partner for Morocco, noting the promising prospects for the development of this cooperation in terms of trade and investments.
Regarding future prospects, he affirmed that upcoming events such as Morocco hosting the 2030 World Cup and the strategic partnership between Morocco and the European Union open new horizons for strengthening the economic partnership between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
