The ambitions of this cabinet to tackle irregular migration and promote return are significant. The focus is on establishing strategic partnerships with (migration) countries. This includes cooperation to prevent human smuggling, make return agreements, strengthen border control, and develop new concepts such as return hubs.

The Netherlands pays attention to the interests of partner countries when entering into partnerships regarding trade, aid, political support, and the deployment of Dutch expertise in food security, water management, and health. In this way, the cabinet is working on an agenda of broadly shared interests, including Dutch migration interests.

In doing so, the cabinet will always make a careful consideration regarding the promotion and protection of human rights in relation to migration policy and will monitor whether the programs financed by the Netherlands are effective. In addition to its own efforts, the Netherlands is also a driving force in Europe for closing strategic partnerships and the cabinet actively seeks cooperation with the European Commission or other member states.

Minister Faber: “Tackling illegal migration is my top priority. That is why we invest in those countries to prevent people from making the crossing to Europe. We all see that the costs to society are much higher once migrants are here. Therefore, I find this investment completely justified.”

Minister Klever: “We are building a broad agenda for cooperation. The Netherlands has a lot of expertise on issues such as water, food security, and health, both within the government and in the business sector, and there is a high demand for this in the countries we want to collaborate with to manage migration.”