NATO & Defense
The major wildfire that broke out in late April at the military training area near ’t Harde was caused during a Defence exercise involving explosives. This emerges from an investigation by the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee. From the cabinet Derk Boswijk, Minister for Arms Procurement and Personnel, responded: “This should not
Asia & Australia
The Netherlands is making substantial investments in economic cooperation with Asian countries through so‑called combitracks, but the results are mixed, according to a status update report from the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation. In some sectors there are already visible investments, demonstration projects and deals, while other
United States & Canada
The Dutch government may extend its contract with IT service provider Solvinity, a judge ruled on Wednesday. Three citizens had brought summary proceedings in an attempt to block the cooperation, citing concerns about the possible takeover of Solvinity by the American technology company Kyndryl. What is Solvinity? Solvinity is responsible
Middle East
The Dutch cabinet does not make an independent judgment on an alleged disinformation campaign against Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories. This is stated by the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tom Berendsen, in answers to parliamentary questions submitted by
United States & Canada
In recent months, the Dutch government has taken visible steps to reduce its reliance on American cloud providers such as Microsoft, Amazon and Google. This shift is driven by growing geopolitical tensions, concerns about data security, and increasingly pointed questions in parliament about digital sovereignty. Parliamentary scrutiny and a recent
Europe & EU
What is The Hague doing to counter Brussels’ budget plans? And where exactly does the Netherlands draw the line? Both Prime Minister Jetten and Finance Minister Heinen have spoken out strongly in recent weeks against a substantially higher EU-budget.
Ukraine
The Netherlands is donating twenty prison transport buses to Ukraine’s prison service this year, according to a press statement by Minister for Legal Protection and Prisons, Claudia van Bruggen. She formally handed over the first four vehicles in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv. Ukraine’s prison system has
Caribbean & Latin America
After years of strained relations, Venezuela’s Foreign Minister has appeared in The Hague - and the language on both sides sounds noticeably softer. A brief meeting, cordial words and carefully chosen themes hint at a better relationship between Caracas and The Hague. Venezuelan Foreign Minister, Yván Gil Pinto, has paid
NATO & Defense
The Dutch ministers of Infrastructure and Water Management and of Justice and Security are preparing fast‑track legislation to enable tougher action against so‑called falsely flagged vessels. Why? And what is happening in other European countries?
United States & Canada
Dutch Defense Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz urges for "a cool head" after the U.S. announced it will withdraw troops from Germany. How does The Hague position itself? And in which areas is Dutch defense most reliant on the United States? “We need to keep a cool head,” she
China
A number of Dutch ministers are planning several working visits to China in the coming months. Why now? What is the relationship between China and the Netherlands? And what is happening elsewhere in Europe?
Ukraine
The Dutch cabinet wants to involve the Dutch business community more prominently in the development and reconstruction of Ukraine.