Benelux and Suriname sign agreements on migration and visa exemption

14 Feb. 2025

The Benelux countries and Suriname signed two agreements in Brussels on migration and diplomatic relations. The signing took place at the Benelux Union Secretariat by Belgian minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt (Asylum & Migration, Social Integration and Metropolitan Policy), Surinamese minister Albert Ramdin (Foreign Affairs, International Trade and International Cooperation) and the ambassadors of the Netherlands and Luxembourg.

The first agreement is a readmission agreement, which will make it easier for people residing illegally in the Benelux countries or Suriname to return to their home countries. This helps improve migration policies and counter illegal migration.

The second agreement concerns a visa waiver for diplomats and government officials, making it easier for them to travel between countries without visas. This makes it easier for diplomats to do their jobs and strengthens diplomatic ties between the countries.

These agreements can be concluded both at the EU level and within the Benelux itself. The Benelux countries often work together to reach agreements faster and more efficiently, which gives them a stronger position in international negotiations. In total, Benelux has already concluded 20 readmission agreements.

Frans Weekers, Secretary General of the Benelux, said: ‘Faced with increasingly complex migration challenges, our determination to act together has never been stronger. Rooted in strong democratic values, the Benelux Union is determined to continue playing a leading role within the European Union, promoting close coordination between our three states and strengthening our partnerships with third countries.’