Rabat – Morocco’s ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation said all necessary measures will be taken to defend the interests and rights of Moroccan nationals targeted by the unilateral decision of the Dutch government to revoke the 1972 bilateral agreement on social security.
“Both political and legal actions will be taken,” the Ministry pointed out in a statement, following a meeting Wednesday in Rabat between Salaheddine Mezouar, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, in the presence of Anis Birou, Minister in charge of Moroccans Abroad and Migration Affairs, Abdesslam Seddiki, Minister of Employment and Social Affairs and Mbarka Bouaida, Minister Delegate for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.
“The meeting focused on exploring measures to be taken following the unilateral decision of the Dutch government on October 10 to submit for parliament approval a draft bill to call off the 1972 Moroccan-Dutch agreement on social security,” the same source added, noting that the meeting was an occasion to reiterate Morocco’s “firm and determined rejection of this decision.”
“All the institutional and civil society stakeholders will be mobilized to address this unprecedented situation which will not remain without consequences on our bilateral relations,” the statement warned.
The Dutch government has proposed a bill to terminate the treaty on social benefits with Morocco, thus ending the possibility for Dutch-Moroccans to receive state pensions and disability benefits when they return to Morocco.
Official statement/MAP
