On April 7, 2026, Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen reiterated the Netherlands' support for Morocco's autonomy plan concerning the disputed Sahara region during a working session in Rabat with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita. During a joint press conference, Berendsen emphasized that the Netherlands views serious autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty as the most realistic solution to the ongoing conflict. He stated, "I would like to reiterate that the Netherlands considers serious autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty to be the most realistic solution." Furthermore, he expressed full support for the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General and his personal envoy, aimed at facilitating negotiations based on the autonomy plan to achieve a fair, durable, and mutually acceptable resolution.
Berendsen also reaffirmed his country's backing for UN Resolution 2797, which recognizes the Moroccan autonomy plan as a credible and realistic solution to end the regional dispute. In response, Bourita acknowledged that the Netherlands' stance, initially expressed in December and reiterated on this occasion, marks a significant turning point in bilateral relations. He stressed the importance of Morocco's territorial integrity, a viewpoint strongly articulated by King Mohammed VI, who stated that Morocco approaches the world through the lens of this cause.
The two ministers discussed various avenues for enhancing cooperation in areas such as immigration, judicial collaboration, combating crime, and countering extremism. Bourita noted that the Netherlands is a key economic partner for Morocco, ranking tenth in trade, with great potential for further developing this partnership in commerce and investment. Upcoming events, such as Morocco hosting the World Cup and the strategic Morocco-EU partnership, present significant opportunities for economic cooperation.
Additionally, both ministers deliberated on collaboration in Africa, which Bourita described as a fundamental aspect of their bilateral relationship. He emphasized the need to encourage Moroccan and Dutch private sectors to jointly invest and explore commercial opportunities on the African continent. Berendsen, who was accompanied by the Minister of Justice and Security during his visit, highlighted Morocco's remarkable economic development, which opens up new opportunities for Dutch businesses, particularly in the energy transition sector. The Dutch delegation is scheduled to visit the port of Tangier, which serves as a transshipment hub, akin to Rotterdam.
As reported by fr.le360.ma.
