Dutch Minister Asscher pleads for stronger collaboration with Morocco in fight against radicalization
The Netherlands and Morocco could mean a lot for each other in the battle against radicalization. This was stated by the Dutch Minister of Social Affairs and Vice Prime Minister Lodewijk Asscher during a visit to Morocco. “People here are very prepared to work together with the Netherlands”, the Minister said. “The threat is felt just as deeply here as it is felt with us”.
According to Asscher Morocco has succeeded in advancing a more moderate interpretation of Islam after the attacks in Casablanca (2003) and Marrakech (2011). “They do so by supporting and alternative view in society. By educating imams for example”, the minister said. According to him the Netherlands could learn from Morocco.
Except for radicalization the topic of the social security treaty was also discussed. The Netherlands wants to cut down welfare payments to people who live in Morocco because the standard of living in Morocco is lower than in the Netherlands. For this reason the Netherlands wanted to readjust the agreement, which was opposed by Morocco. Asscher hopes that new talks will open up chances for new negotiations. Otherwise a one-sided canceling of the agreement will be unavoidable, according to the minister.
