Caretaker justice Dilan Yesilgöz and her Moroccan counterpart Abdellatif Ouahbi have signed a deportation agreement which, they say, will strengthen the battle against international crime. 

“Organised crime knows no borders,” Yesilgöz said. “International criminal networks are ruthless about expanding their illegal weapons, drugs and human trafficking operations.”

International cooperation between countries has a key role in combating this, the Dutch minister said. “This deportation treaty strengthens the relationship we have developed with Morocco, and together we will further boost our joint approach against international organised crime.” 

The treaty will make it easier for Morocco to deport people both suspected and convicted of crime to face trial or imprisonment in the Netherlands. It first has to be agreed on by parliament before it can come into effect.

Talks are also continuing on dealing with underground banking and money laundering between the two countries, the justice ministry said.